The Detroit Lions landed themselves a massive upgrade along the edge ahead of the trade deadline on Tuesday when the team struck a deal with the Cleveland Browns for veteran Za’Darius Smith.
The Lions were in the market for an impact edge rusher after losing both Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport to season-ending injuries. Smith was the top option available, and general manager Brad Holmes got it done.
Smith finally arrived to the building on Friday after head coach Dan Campbell gave him a few days to rest up, seeing as how he won’t have a bye week this season after Smith was traded during the Browns’ bye week.
As of Saturday morning, Smith’s status is up in the air, as he’s questionable on the team’s final injury report. But the 32-year-old is listed because of his late arrival rather than because of an injury.
Is Za’Darius Smith playing this week?
UPDATE: Well, it turns out Smith isn’t going to play after all. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Smith isn’t “quite ready” to make his Lions debut.
#Lions new pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith, who was acquired in a trade on Tuesday, is not expected to play for Detroit tonight, I’m told. Not quite ready.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 10, 2024
End of update
Smith spoke to reporters on Friday and revealed that his ability to play will depend upon how much he’s able to pick up over weekend. But the veteran edge rusher strongly hinted he will play with his mannerisms.
We’ll provide his quote, but watch the video we’ve included below to see what we’re talking about.
“Obviously, I’ve been in the game for 10 years now, so I know actually football,” he said, according to ESPN’s Eric Woodyard. “It’s just more getting the plays in and knowing the blitzes. They basically want me to be on cue with the blitzes, so hopefully something can work out here in the next 24 hours.”
#Lions’ Za'Darius Smith to Detroit: “What up Doe” pic.twitter.com/NdDcaOKOzH
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) November 8, 2024
As Smith points out, he’s been in this league a long time, so he’s fully capable of winging it and still making an impact even if he isn’t fully acclimated yet. We would expect him to suit up, but there has been no confirmation yet.
If Smith is able to suit up on Sunday and manages to play in the rest of the Lions’ games this season, he will be just the second player in NFL history since 1930 to play in 18 contests during a regular season, and the first Lion to do so.
