[4] Throughout training camp, he competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback against Hank Poteat, Corey Ivy, Gerard Lawson, and Coye Francies.

During training camp in 2010, he competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback against Tyron Brackenridge, William Middleton, Scotty McGee, Josh Gordy, and Chris Hawkins.

In 2013, Carey was a versatile option at nickel and a source of stability to the Lions secondary and special teams coverage unit.

And in 2016, Carey was nominated as the Lions's Walter Payton Man of the Year, including for his contribution to "Athletes for Charity [working] to install a youth literacy program at two Detroit area schools, with a focus on STEM — a curriculum centered around science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

[17][18] Carey announced he would retire from the NFL and would move to Chesapeake, Virginia on April 27, 2019,[19] where he lives with his wife, Lakeisha, an attorney,[20] and their three children.

During Carey's stint in the NFL, he and his wife established the REECH Foundation—Reaching, Educating and Empowering Our Children—and now operate it out of the Tidewater region of Virginia, where they reside.

The Foundation is focused on "STEM [Education] (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math), physical wellbeing, health, social and moral responsibility along with vocational and collegiate preparation.

"[21] Don's younger brother Donte played defensive back for Grand Valley State, a Division II school in Allendale, Michigan.