DETROIT — The Detroit Lions have made a significant move in their quest for a Super Bowl victory by acquiring defensive end Za’Darius Smith. In a rather unconventional approach, they announced that he would head home upon his arrival, delaying his report to the team until Friday. Coach Dan Campbell has expressed uncertainty about Smith’s potential participation in the upcoming Sunday night clash against the Houston Texans.
“He’s an experienced player, and since the Browns had a bye week, we thought it best to let him recharge before joining us,” Campbell said during a press conference. “He got our call, everything is set, and now we’re giving him time to freshen up before he comes in Friday.”
Smith is expected to bolster the Lions’ defense, specifically in pass-rushing duties. The trade involved surrendering a fifth-round draft pick in 2025 and trading a sixth-round selection in 2026 for a seventh-round choice, highlighting the organization’s urgency to enhance their defensive capabilities.
“It’s not easy to secure someone who can effectively rush the passer, especially during the season. Teams are very protective of these types of players,” Campbell pointed out.
The necessity for Smith’s acquisition stemmed from the injury to standout pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who suffered a broken left leg in mid-October. Despite having played four games less than others, Hutchinson remains tied for fifth in the league with 7.5 sacks and holds second with 17 quarterback hits.
However, it wasn’t just Hutchinson’s absence prompting the Lions to make this deal; the situation was further complicated by injuries to other key players. Starting defensive end Marcus Davenport is out for the remainder of the season due to an arm injury, while linebacker Derrick Barnes and defensive end John Cominsky are sidelined with knee injuries. Additionally, Josh Paschal, who has previously battled cancer, has missed the last two games following the removal of a benign growth.
“We’ve really suffered in one position — losing our starters along with depth definitely impacted us,” Campbell acknowledged. “That’s why we felt the need to bring someone in, which is challenging in this type of position compared to acquiring a receiver or running back.”
While Paschal may return for the game against the Texans, Campbell believes there is a strong possibility that Smith will see some action.
“We’ll assess how many packages and how much of the playbook he can grasp, but we’ll certainly have opportunities for him to contribute,” he stated. “We’ll just see how it looks once he arrives on Friday.”
Additionally, the Lions are set to welcome back wide receiver Jameson Williams after he served a two-game suspension.
“I’ve gained a lot from this experience, learning to navigate situations more wisely,” Williams commented. “It’s reassuring to know the trust Coach has put in me.”