As good as the Lions’ defense was a season ago, the nickel cornerback spot was a revolving door for them.
Bill Bentley (ACL) was lost Week 1. Nevin Lawson (dislocated foot) followed Bentley to injured reserve in Week 2. Even backups Don Carey and Cassius Vaughn (who had never played nickel before) missed time.
At one point the Lions were signing free agents off the streets and starting them that week.
So when Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin was asked if he feels better about the nickel this year, his one-word response of “absolutely” speaks volumes to how far the Lions have come at that spot.