Rock Ya-Sin re-signs with Detroit Lions on one year deal in free agency

The Detroit Lions are bringing back one of their most versatile defensive backs.

The Lions agreed to a new one-year, $4 million deal with cornerback Rock Ya-Sin on Tuesday, March 10, per  NFL Network's Ian Rapoport .

Ya-Sin played in 17 games and made six starts for the Lions last season, playing a key role at cornerback late in the year after Terrion Arnold was lost to a shoulder injury.

Ya-Sin worked as a backup safety last summer in training camp and was considered one of the Lions' most physical defensive backs. He made 47 tackles and had nine pass breakups in 17 games.

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The Lions return four starters in their secondary: cornerbacks Arnold and D.J. Reed and safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch , but have lingering questions at both positions. Joseph and Branch are coming off season-ending injuries and their status for Week 1 is uncertain, and police are investigating Arnold's involvement in a robbery and kidnapping incident in Florida.

Arnold has denied involvement through his attorney and has not been charged with any crime.

The Lions also lost their No. 3 cornerback, Amik Robertson , in free agency to the Washington Commanders .

Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at  dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on  Bluesky ,  X  and  Instagram  at @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Rock Ya-Sin back to Detroit Lions on one year deal in free agency