Za’Darius Smith was brought in to upgrade the pass rush entering the second half of the Detroit Lions season.
He might have to wait a week before debuting with his new team.
Lions coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Wednesday that the team would give Smith off until Friday, thus allowing him time to acclimate and enjoy some rest on what would have been his bye week with the Cleveland Browns.
If Smith doesn’t appear on the Lions injury report on Friday, it likely means he’s good to when the NFC favorites take on the Houston Texans. If he does, Detriot could be missing its best pass-rusher when facing C.J. Stroud.
Dan Campbell said Za’Darius Smith is “fired up” to join the Lions.
“He’s going to play the run. He can get an edge still, he finishes on the football, he’s tough, violent player. So we’re excited to have him,” Campbell said. pic.twitter.com/xuagtC3X3G
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) November 7, 2024
“He’ll be back with us on Friday and we’ll see exactly where he’s at. I can’t confirm whether he’s going to play or not,” Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “That’ll be up to coach Campbell and (Smith) to see exactly where he’s at, but I am excited having that player.”
Smith, 32, joins a Lions’ roster hit by a litany of injuries toward their defensive line over the last month. Aidan Hutchinson (leg), Marcus Davenport (pectoral), Derrick Barnes (knee) and John Cominsky (knee), have all dealt with ailments that have sidelined them for weeks.
“Really happy to get @zadariussmith” pic.twitter.com/C3DwTrNF9L
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 7, 2024
Hutchinson, who was on pace with Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. for Defensive Player of the Year, is out for the season. Davenport won’t return until at least the playoffs, should the Lions continue their success.
Enter Smith, a three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher with five sacks already attached to his name. Over the past three games, the Lions’ pass rush has registered just five sacks to Smith’s 2.5.
The Texans are prepping for the Lions with the intention of Smith seeing the field. Despite being on a new team, Houston faced Smith twice last season during the regular season and AFC Wild Card Round.
In the first go-around, Smith registered three tackles for loss and two sacks.
Za’Darius Smith brings much needed pass rush production from the edge to the Lions, whose three active pressure leaders are defensive tackles.
Smith has generated 26 pressures this season, 17 more than the next closest active edge rusher on the Lions roster.@Lions | #OnePride https://t.co/SXcQLF8Cxe pic.twitter.com/HvvHbQ7f6f
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 5, 2024
“One thing that sticks out about him is that he rushes with power. He’s quick, explosive, rushes with power,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “And of course, we have to have eyes on him at all times, be well aware that we have to make sure we’re blocking him.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.
