ALLEN PARK –- During a Wednesday appearance on 97.1 The Ticket’s Costa & Jansen, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes offered an update on the team’s stance regarding former pass rusher Za’Darius Smith.
The Lions are thin at edge rusher following Levi Onwuzurike’s season-ending ACL injury and Josh Paschal’s landing on the non-football injury list. Even before those setbacks, there had been speculation about whether Smith could return.
“Za’Darius did a lot of good things last year for us, and we said we’re going to keep in contact with his agent. But, you know, everything’s not just one-sided,” Holmes said. “Za’Darius has expectations, the team has expectations, so sometimes it takes a while for those things to get on the same page, especially a guy that’s been in the league as long as he has.
“I’m not saying that he doesn’t want to be in training camp, but if he misses some time… there’s obviously still interest there, and we’ve been keeping in touch.”
Smith, 32, appeared in eight games for Detroit last season after being acquired from the Cleveland Browns just before the trade deadline. He recorded 12 combined tackles—including three for loss—10 quarterback hits, four sacks, and one pass defended.
Last season, the Lions had as many as 16 defensive players on injured reserve. Given that history, questions about adding a proven veteran pass rusher like Smith are understandable.
One of those players, Marcus Davenport, has drawn praise from Holmes as he looks to bounce back. The 28-year-old’s 2024 season was limited to two games due to a triceps injury, but he’s impressed early in camp.
“Davenport, he’s having an excellent camp. He really is,” Holmes said.
“I’ve always said that he is an ideal complement on the other side of Aidan (Hutchinson). We all know what the issue has been, but it’s never been an ability issue. So hopefully he can have better luck there.”
Time will tell if the Lions look to reunite with Smith this season. That said, Smith has vocalized his desire to don the Honolulu Blue and Silver once again.
“We both know where I want to be,” Smith said during the BET Awards in June. “Hopefully, I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great.
“When I’m there, I feel like a leader and like I can influence the young guys and do great things. Hopefully, I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit.”
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