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Okudah Admits Cardinals' 'High-Octane' Offense Exhausted Him

Jeff Okudah explains in postgame the play in which he took himself off the field Sunday
John Maakaron|
Okudah Admits Cardinals' 'High-Octane' Offense Exhausted Him
Okudah Admits Cardinals' 'High-Octane' Offense Exhausted Him

In the third quarter Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, Lions head coach Matt Patricia appeared to be visibly frustrated with rookie 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. 

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 replacement of veteran cornerback Desmond Trufant. 

It will not get any easier for Okudah and Detroit's secondary, as the New Orleans Saints visit Ford Field this Sunday.

And star Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas expressed Sunday that he is hoping to return from an ankle injury against the Lions. 

More from SI All Lions:

Detroit Lions Rookie Snap Count Observations

Lions' Players on Defense Demanding Respect

Despite Calls for Demise, Lions' Show Resilience in Arizona

Stafford: 'That's the Situation I Want'

Lions' End 11-Game Losing Streak

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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!

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