Huge Boost: Lions Strengthens Depth With The Reunion Of Hard-nosed Veterans……

The Lions return a key special teams starter and depth player at cornerback.

The Detroit Lions are bringing back cornerback Khalil Dorsey for the 2025 season, the team announced Thursday. However, contract details were not disclosed.

Dorsey entered the NFL in 2020 as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens. After spending a couple of years in Baltimore, he joined the Lions’ practice squad late in the 2022 season. Since then, he has carved out a role as a key special teams contributor and depth cornerback, playing 248 special teams snaps in 2023 and 272 last season, including key roles as a gunner and jammer on punt teams.

“This guy’s an incredible player for us, obviously,” special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said last year. “Just watching the film this morning, even a rep of him on punt return holding up one of their gunners—did a great job for us. But he was a great player for us all year long, obviously.”

Unfortunately, Dorsey suffered a serious leg injury in Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills, breaking his tibia and fibula, which required emergency surgery. Despite the setback, he remains optimistic about his recovery.

“I kind of know how to get to it and get through it, but it’s just trying to get that confidence back, trying to get that speed back,” Dorsey told the Detroit Free Press in January. “That’s all I’m thinking about is trying to get to just being me. And that takes a little while.”

While it’s unclear when Dorsey will be fully cleared—initial estimates suggested a four-to-six-month recovery—the Lions’ decision to re-sign him indicates they believe he can contribute this season.

With Thursday’s addition of veteran Rock Ya-Sin, the Lions’ cornerback group is beginning to take shape. The team now has several defensive backs under contract for the 2025 season, including D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Ya-Sin, Khalil Dorsey, and Stantley Thomas-Oliver.

Stay updated on all the latest Lions free agency moves with our 2025 Detroit Lions offseason tracker and contract/depth chart tracker.