GLENDALE — Former Arizona State cornerback Keith Abney II had his best NFL game yet in his return to Arizona, intercepting Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett as his Detroit Lions won 45-21 on Sunday, Arizona Sports reported.
Abney stepped in front of a deep shot by Brissett late in the first half as Arizona tried to move into field goal range.
The rookie played 59 defensive snaps after playing just 25 in the first four games, according to PFF. He finished with six tackles, his first pass defensed and the interception. He entered the game with two tackles all season.
“Kelvin Sheppard said he’s probably the smartest rookie he’s ever been around,” Lions.com reporter Tim Twentyman told Arizona Sports, referring to Detroit’s defensive coordinator. The Lions view Abney as able to play outside corner, nickel and safety, Twentyman said.
Abney was a fifth-round pick who left ASU as a junior and fell in the draft in part because of his size, listed at about 5-foot-10.
Sources: Arizona Sports. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Unknown photographer / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
