The Detroit Lions have added the pass rusher they have been missing since Aidan Hutchinson suffered a broken leg in Week 6. reportedly took over for veteran Za'Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns.

In exchange for Smith, the Lions are reportedly sending a 2025 fifth-round draft pick and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to Cleveland, while Cleveland is sending Smith and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick. Smith was among the most sought-after passers at the NFL trade deadline and is under contract through the 2025 season, reflecting what the Lions had to trade to get him.

Smith has recorded five sacks, including 23 tackles, five tackles for loss and six quarterback hits in nine games with the Browns this season. During his NFL career, Smith compiled 65 sacks in 181 games (88 starts) over 10 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and Browns.

Despite a blowout 52-14 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 8, the Lions struggled to put pressure on quarterback Mason Rudolph. Detroit only managed one sack in the second quarter. In the Lions' 24-14 win over the Packers in Week 9, the Lions applied only occasional pressure to Jordan Love and recorded no sacks. Both games highlighted what the defense is missing with Hutchinson's absence.

Hutchinson suffered a fractured right tibia and fibula early in the third quarter of Detroit's 47-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6. Before his season-ending injury, Hutchinson led the NFL with 7 1/2 sacks. Alim McNeill has the second-highest total on the Lions' defense with 2 1/2 sacks. No other Detroit player has more than two sacks.

Earlier this season, the Lions also lost defensive end Marcus Davenport in Week 3 with what was described as a “serious and significant” left elbow injury. Additionally, linebacker Derrick Barnes suffered a knee injury in the same game against the Arizona Cardinals. Detroit coach Dan Campbell did not say the injuries would end the season, but was not optimistic that either player would return.