Okudah ‘exhausted’ by Cards’ attack
In the third quarter Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, Lions coach Matt Patricia appeared to be visibly frustrated with rookie cornerback Jeff Okudah.
The Cardinals’ offense led by quarterback Kyler Murray is known for its very fast tempo.
It can feel like a relentless pace for defensive backs attempting to match wits with highly talented and elite wide receivers.
Okudah had his moments against the Cardinals, including an interception of Murray in the third quarter. Okudah returned the ball 22 yards to the Arizona
36.
But a video which circulated online captured Okudah taking himself out of the game and waving cornerback Chris Jones onto the field, drawing the ire of his head coach.
According to the Detroit Free Press, “Okudah tapped out for a snap, drawing the wrath of Lions coach Matt Patricia. Then, on the series after his pick, he crouched, hunched over on the sideline after forcing Murray out of bounds on a five-yard scramble.”
“I was pretty exhausted,” Okudah said when he was asked about the sequence on the sidelines. “This is a high-octane offense. I just needed (a break), honestly.”
Against Arizona, Detroit’s rookie defensive back played 59 of Detroit’s 65 defensive snaps in place of veteran Desmond Trufant.
It will not get any easier for Okudah and Detroit’s secondary, as Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints visit Ford Field this Sunday.
And star Saints wide receiverMichael Thomas said Sunday that he is hoping to return froman ankle injury against the Lions.
Thomas did not play Sunday night in the Saints’ loss to Green Bay.