ALLEN PARK — Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has garnered significant praise — and rightfully so — for the scheme he dialed up with a patchwork secondary during a Week 7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

During the 24-9 home win at Ford Field, the Lions were without starting cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold, starting safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, along with reserve defenders Avonte Maddox, Daniel Thomas, and Khalil Dorsey.

Down their entire starting secondary, the Lions had to turn to veterans Rock Ya-Sin and Amik Robertson at corner and Thomas Harper and Erick Hallett at safety to start. Along with that, cornerbacks Nick Whiteside, Arthur Maulet and Loren Strickland played meaningful snaps in one of the Lions’ most impressive defensive performances

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