Allen Park — The Detroit Lions added Christian Izien this offseason, in part, because of his positional versatility.
That trait is getting put to the test early in training camp.
Izien, signed by the Lions in March after three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, always was going to be a flexible piece in Detroit’s secondary, capable of playing both near and far from the line of scrimmage. But most of Izien’s reps during OTAs and mandatory minicamp came at safety, as he looked to be contending for a job on the back end while Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, Detroit’s regular starters at the position, mended from injuries.
Lions coach Dan Campbell on Friday, however, revealed the plan heading into training camp was for Izien to actually get first-team looks at nickelback, though that idea was put on hold while Izien battled the flu, an illness that cost him four practices.
Now healthy, Izien returned to the lineup Monday and has, indeed, been receiving snaps in the slot.
“It’s familiar for me, it’s nothing I’m not used to,” Izien said Tuesday of his move. “When I spoke to the coaches when I got here, that was expected of me.”
Izien has played 55.2% of his career defensive snaps in the slot, according to Pro Football Focus, though his rate in that alignment has fallen every season, from 84.2% (2023) to 29.4% (2024) to 26.9% (2025). Izien was uber productive for an undrafted rookie in 2023, totaling 65 tackles (three for loss), two pass deflections and a forced fumble.
His grade against the run from PFF that season (80.3) ranked 18th among 168 defensive backs who defended the run on at least 175 snaps. Getting physical hasn’t been an issue for the former Rutgers standout, something he attributes to playing in the Big Ten, a “heavy run-first league.”
“I think it’s a mindset thing,” added Izien, listed at 5-foot-10 and 206 pounds. “A lot of guys go out there with the mindset of what they wanna do. Some guys wanna cover. Some guys wanna eliminate the best receiver. That’s on my mind, too. But getting a TFL is equivalent to getting a sack. Anytime you can put the offense behind the line of scrimmage and force them to pass the ball, that’s always an advantage for us.”
Through three seasons, Izien has 46 defensive stops, which are tackles that result in a failed play for the opposing offense. Nineteen of those have come against the run.
“I just think I’m unblockable, especially by receivers,” Izien said. “I don’t think I can be blocked, and that’s the mentality I go into the game with. Just being physical, being near the line of scrimmage. I know I’ve got a bunch of TFLs (tackles for loss) in my career. Behind the line of scrimmage, that’s where I play my best ball at.”
Campbell was recently asked what he needs to see before the end of training camp to be confident heading into the season. He listed three factors: Success in situational football, establishing the run offensively, and stopping the run defensively.
That third item, co-endorsed by defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, is music to Izien’s ears as he battles Roger McCreary, a solid run defender in his own right, for opportunities in the slot: “(Sheppard)’s very adamant he wants to stop the run, that’s huge for him,” Izien said. “That’s how you win football games.”
Izien averaged nearly 46 defensive snaps per game through his first two seasons. His average fell to about 19 in 2025 after he was on the wrong end of a camp battle, losing his role to start the campaign; Izien played a grand total of eight snaps from Weeks 1-13.
Joining the Lions because he saw an opportunity to get back to being a defensive contributor, Izien, over the flu and in the process of getting his wind back, holds all the cards to make that a reality.
rsilva@detroitnews.com
@rich_silva18
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Back from the flu, Lions’ Christian Izien in position to nab starting role
Reporting by Richard Silva, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Richard Silva, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
