It’s not been a good stretch for Lions cornerback Cam Sutton. To say the veteran has struggled recently is an understatement. Here’s Sutton’s coverage line from the last four games combined:
26 completions allowed on 32 targets, 467 yards and three TDs allowed when Sutton was in primary coverage.
And while Sutton has faced off against some of the NFL’s most elite wideouts in that time (Justin Jefferson, Ceedee Lamb, Cooper Kupp, Ceedee Lamb), the eye test makes those above numbers seem better than No. 1 actually played in those games.
Despite the poor results, Lions head coach Dan Campbell continues to back Sutton.
“That’s that’s the nature of playing the position. And if you’re a quarterback or cornerback, we talk about all the time — you’ve got to have a short memory, short-term memory,” Campbell said Tuesday via 97.1 The Ticket. “And things are going to happen. And the most important thing in those positions is to bounce back.”
Campbell then cited a key third-down play in the win over the Rams where Sutton made a nice play against Rams wideout Puka Nacua.
“He makes a huge play on Puka. And that’s what it’s about here,” Campbell stated. “And we’ll mix the coverages; he’ll do what he does. But Cam’s going to be just fine.”
It’s a vote of confidence the erudite Sutton can appreciate. He draws another challenge in the NFC Championship game with 49ers standout Deebo Samuel, who San Francisco moves all over the formation. Brandon Aiyuk is a very accomplished deep threat on the outside for the 49ers, too.
