ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that the Detroit Lions didn't acquire pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith at the trade deadline this year to replace Aidan Hutchinson (leg), who is out for the rest of the season. Instead, the Lions expect the 32-year-old veteran to be a key complementary player on their defensive line. The Lions will rely heavily on defensive tackles Alim McNeill and DJ Reader to generate a pass rush, while Smith and Josh Paschal start on the outside. Smith played 37 defensive snaps in his first game with the team in the Week 11 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, generating half a sack. Fowler expects Detroit to continue to be smart about Smith's snaps, which means fantasy managers in IDP leagues should temper expectations. The Lions are going to need a total team effort to replace Hutchinson's All-Pro production.
Za'Darius Smith Won't Make Lions Debut On Sunday Night
Detroit Lions defensive end Za'Darius Smith (personal) is officially inactive for the Sunday night game against the Houston Texans. Smith was just acquired in a trade by Detroit from the Cleveland Browns and will have to wait to make his Lions debut until Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 32-year-old three-time Pro Bowler had five sacks, 23 tackles (15 solo), six tackles for loss and seven QB hits in his nine games for the Browns before the trade earlier this week. The Lions are hoping he can settle in and be a consistent pass-rushing force the rest of the year with star defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (leg) likely out for the rest of the season due to a broken leg. Because of the loss of Hutchinson, the Lions defense in fantasy doesn't have as high of a ceiling, but they could still be plenty productive on Sunday night against a banged-up Texans receiving corps.
Detroit Lions pass rusher Za'Darius Smith is expected to be inactive for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. Acquired from Cleveland earlier this week, Smith hasn't had quite enough time to adjust to the new system. He figures to make his Lions debut next week, building on a 2024 campaign that includes 23 tackles and five sacks so far.
As expected, the Detroit Lions acquired standout edge rusher Za'Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday, according to sources. The Lions are adding a key pass-rusher to help make up for the loss of All-Pro defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who will miss the rest of the year with a broken leg. Along with Smith, the Lions are receiving a seventh-round pick in 2026 in exchange for a fifth-rounder next year and a sixth-round selection in the 2026 NFL draft. The 32-year-old Smith should help Detroit's defense immediately after recording five sacks, 23 tackles (15 solo), six tackles for loss and seven QB hits in nine games for the Browns this year. Smith's Lions debut will come this Sunday in a Week 10 showdown against the Houston Texans. The three-time Pro Bowler has 65 career sacks in 132 games played after debuting in 2015 with the Baltimore Ravens.
Lions Expected To Acquire Za'Darius Smith From Browns
The Detroit Lions are expected to acquire defensive end Za'Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns within the next day or two, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. The 32-year-old continues to be an impact defender, registering 24 tackles and 5.5 sacks through eight-plus games this season. Smith is currently playing in the Browns' game against the Los Angeles Chargers, but Florio speculates that a trade will happen either Sunday evening or Monday. Of course, there is some urgency for both teams given that the NFL's trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. The two-win Browns are willing to trade some players away, and the Lions, who lost Aidan Hutchinson (leg) for the season, represent an intriguing landing spot for Smith.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Za'Darius Smith (knee) left practice at training camp on Monday after suffering a knee contusion and will be re-evaluated on Tuesday morning. Smith was carted off the field but may have avoided a serious injury. We won't know for sure until Tuesday, though. Even if the 31-year-old veteran pass-rusher isn't dealing with a serious injury, he's unlikely to play in the team's preseason opener this weekend against the Green Bay Packers. The three-time Pro Bowler re-signed with the Browns this offseason after posting 27 tackles (18 solo), 5.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, 20 QB hits and a forced fumble in 16 regular-season starts in 2023. When healthy, Smith will operate as a situational pass-rusher across from All-Pro Myles Garrett.
The Cleveland Browns re-signed defensive end Za'Darius Smith to an undisclosed deal on Monday, according to sources. Coming off his third Pro Bowl season in 2022 in his only year with the Minnesota Vikings, Smith disappointed in 2023 in his first season in Cleveland, recording 27 tackles (18 solo), 5.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, 20 QB hits and a forced fumble in 16 starts. Despite his lack of on-field production, the 31-year-old pass-rusher rated out well and started every game in which he was active. Smith will be playing in his age-32 season in 2024, and although he might not be able to secure double-digit sacks at this point in his career, he should remain a strong contributor on Cleveland's defensive line across from All-Pro Myles Garrett.
In his first year with the Cleveland Browns, pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith, who is the presumed starting left defensive end in 2023, has looked the part in organized team activities this week and seemed to be engaged and involved with his teammates throughout practices. The 30-year-old was acquired from the Minnesota Vikings this offseason and will be moving from a 3-4 defense in Minnesota to a 4-3 in Cleveland this year. He bounced back in 2022 to provide 44 tackles (32 solo), 10 sacks and a career-high five passes defensed. If Smith can stay healthy in 2023, he'll provide a big boost to the Browns' pass rush alongside Myles Garrett, and he should also be useful in IDP fantasy leagues.
The Cleveland Browns likely view pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith as their starting left defensive end heading into the 2023 season. Myles Garrett has played around 80 percent of the team's defensive snaps over the last four seasons, but Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is 250 pounds and isn't an every-down player at defensive end. Alex Wright and Isaiah McGuire are also big enough to play inside in pass-down packages. Smith, 30, had 8.5 sacks in the first seven weeks in 2022 with the Minnesota Vikings but just 1.5 the rest of the way. He dealt with a knee injury from November on and continued to play through it, but his production fell off. If he can stay healthy this year in Cleveland, he could put up big numbers for fantasy managers in IDP leagues.
The Vikings traded linebacker Za'Darius Smith to the Browns on Friday. The 30-year-old appeared in 16 games for the Vikings last season, totaling 44 tackles and 10 sacks. However, he requested a trade a few months ago, with his tenure in Minnesota now ending after just one season. Smith is set to hit free agency next offseason. But for now, he joins Myles Garrett to comprise a potent pass-rushing attack for the 2023-24 campaign.
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