Several prominent cornerbacks are entering the 2026 season after suffering significant injuries. Beyond the recovery timelines, these injuries have altered depth charts, created starting opportunities, and forced teams to make major offseason decisions in the secondary.

Marshon Lattimore — Free Agent

Injury: Torn ACL, Left Knee

Lattimore suffered a torn ACL in Week 9, just three games into his tenure with the Washington Commanders following his trade from the New Orleans Saints. He had also dealt with a hamstring injury earlier in the season, limiting his ability to establish consistency before the knee injury ended his year.

Washington released Lattimore in March 2026, making him a free agent as he continues his rehabilitation.

The combination of an ACL recovery, recent soft-tissue issues, and limited availability makes his market difficult to evaluate. At full strength, Lattimore still offers starting-caliber experience and man-coverage ability. However, teams may prefer a short-term, incentive-heavy contract until he demonstrates that his movement skills and acceleration have returned.

Martin Emerson Jr. — New Orleans Saints

Injury: Torn Achilles

Emerson suffered a torn Achilles during a Cleveland Browns training camp practice in late July. The injury occurred during a coverage drill and was later confirmed by an MRI. He underwent surgery and was placed on injured reserve for the entire season.

The New Orleans Saints added Emerson during the 2026 offseason, giving him a fresh opportunity following his rehabilitation.

Achilles injuries are especially concerning for cornerbacks because the position requires repeated acceleration, backpedaling, sudden direction changes, and recovery speed. Emerson’s size and physical coverage style may help compensate if he initially lacks explosiveness, but his ability to regain pre-injury movement will determine whether he can reclaim a major defensive role.

Kader Kohou — Kansas City Chiefs

Injury: Season-Ending Knee Injury

Kohou suffered a serious knee injury during a Miami Dolphins training camp practice in late July. He was placed on injured reserve after entering camp as the projected starting nickelback.

Kansas City signed Kohou to a one-year contract during the 2026 offseason.

The move gives Kohou an opportunity to reestablish himself in a secondary that values versatility. Before the injury, he had experience playing both in the slot and on the outside. That flexibility could allow him to contribute in multiple packages if his recovery progresses as expected.

The primary concern will be whether he can regain the short-area quickness required to cover slot receivers. Nickel cornerbacks must react rapidly to option routes and changes of direction, making lateral mobility one of the most important parts of his rehabilitation.

Artie Burns — Free Agent

Injury: Torn ACL

Burns suffered a torn ACL during a Miami Dolphins training camp practice and missed the entire season.

The injury was particularly damaging because Burns had been positioned to compete for a Week 1 starting role. Miami entered camp with limited cornerback depth following the departure of Jalen Ramsey, creating a legitimate opportunity for Burns before the injury.

Burns’ one-year contract with Miami expired after the season, leaving him as a free agent entering 2026.

As a veteran cornerback coming off a major knee injury, Burns may need to prove his health through a workout before receiving another contract. His experience and ability to play both outside and in reserve packages could still attract interest, but his next opportunity will likely depend heavily on medical evaluations and training camp injuries elsewhere around the league.

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