Campbell, players back DC Sheppard after Lions defensive woes continue

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  Eric WoodyardOct 5, 2026, 02:31 AM ET

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  Eric Woodyard covers the Detroit Lions for ESPN. He joined ESPN in September 2019 as an NBA reporter dedicated to the Midwest region before switching to his current role in April 2021. The Flint, Mich. native is a graduate of Western Michigan University and has authored/co-authored three books: "Wasted," "Ethan's Talent Search" and "All In: The Kelvin Torbert Story". He is a proud parent of one son, Ethan.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Dan Campbell shouldered the blame for another poor defensive performance by his Detroit Lions and said the team will "exhaust everything" before considering moving on from second-year defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.

The Lions lost 32-26 on the road to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday night, giving up at least 30 points for the third time in four weeks.

"I'm not talking about all that," Campbell said of Sheppard. "I'm talking about getting better, right now with what we've got right now with what we've got. And that's what we're gonna do. We're gonna find a way to get better with what we've got."

The last time Detroit's defense allowed at least 30 or more points in three of their first four games was in 2008, during the infamous 0-16 season, per ESPN Research. The Lions' current defense is allowing 31.8 points per game so far this season, the most in the NFL.

Campbell is seeking answers internally before making any bold moves with the coaching staff and he has continued to maintain faith that Sheppard will turn the defense around.

"Let's look at it and let's get it fixed," Campbell said. "But I know this, we go into panic mode when we've got 13 games left and we're 2-2, that's not the right thing to do. I just don't believe that. I never have. So, I know there's frustration and look, I'm frustrated. I know the players are frustrated."

Most of the struggles have been in the secondary, which continues to deal with significant injuries, including cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, who was ruled out during the second half in Carolina with a hamstring injury. Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan experienced a historic night against the unit, ending with 14 receptions for 192 yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Lions cornerback D.J. Reed admitted he's not playing to his standard with Detroit's defense currently giving up a league-high 1,216 total passing yards through four games.

"It's not a coaching thing, it's a player's thing. This game comes down to winning one-on-ones and that's what we've got to do as a whole collective unit in the secondary we haven't been doing that," said Reed, who logged six tackles. "So, we've just gotta be better."

There was a sense of frustration inside the visitor's locker room at Bank of America Stadium as the Lions were preparing to exit, but they refused to blame Sheppard or anyone on the coaching staff for their issues. Their top priority is cleaning up their mistakes before heading to Arizona next week to face the Cardinals.

"It starts with the players because we're out there and we make the scheme come alive. So, honestly, you can just put it on me, put it on the players," said All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell, who finished with 14 total tackles. "But I mean, Shep works hard. Dan believes in him, I believe in him. He's made of the right stuff. We're gonna get this figured out.

"We've just got to stay the course, stick together. Right now, it's us versus everybody and I'll state the obvious, we're not playing very good defensively and we gotta fix it."