Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions opened training camp Friday with four cornerbacks on their roster. And one of them had a boot on what was later revealed to be a broken left foot.

Yes, the Lions secondary remains very much a work in progress. We discussed their earlier agreement with free agent cornerback Eric Wright, whom the Cleveland Browns didn't want back and can't practice until Aug. 4. Friday, we learned that cornerback Alphonso Smith -- a presumed starter based on the lack of other candidates -- had been placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

Smith suffered the injury earlier this month, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. He is the second prominent Lions starter to report an offseason injury, joining left tackle Jeff Backus.

Smith told reporters that he would be ready to start the regular season, but as of Friday cornerback remains the thinnest position on the Lions roster. Aaron Berry, Jack Williams and Nathan Vasher were the only cornerbacks eligible to practice based on the roster currently posted on the Lions web site.

Wright will soon join that group, but at this point you have to assume that further reinforcements are on the way.