The Detroit Lions are serious about replacing injured standout edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, and they have inquired about a three-time Pro Bowler who is currently on a poor AFC North side. Dianna Russini reported on Saturday, Nov. 2, that the Lions have approached the Cleveland Browns about the availability of defensive end and pass-rush specialist Za’Darius Smith.
“Lions coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes have been looking for an edge rusher since Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending injury. Hutchinson hasn’t played since October 13 but remains third in the NFL in sacks,” Russini wrote on X. “The team has checked in with numerous teams around the league, including Cleveland with hopes of landing Za’Darius Smith.”
Detroit struggled to pressure the quarterback last weekend against the Tennessee Titans, but that didn’t stop the Lions from defeating their opponents 52-14.
Still, Campbell acknowledged the lack of pocket pressure in that game (Detroit had only one sack as a team) and stated that the Lions are still looking to strengthen the edge rush ahead of the league’s Nov. 5 trade deadline. “We understand when the deadline is. We’ve known what it is. Campbell remarked, “We’re still talking about it and working through it.”
“There are other ways to generate pressure, and, yes, would you like a little more? Sure, we’d want a little more. But believe me, we are aware, and we are currently looking into it. But, yeah, I wouldn’t say we’re panicked. Smith has 81 tackles for loss and 65 sacks in 131 regular-season games over his 10-year NFL career, according to Pro Football Reference. He has five sacks and five tackles for loss in eight games in 2024.
Leave a Reply