ALLEN PARK \u2013- During a Wednesday appearance on 97.1 The Ticket\u2019s Costa & Jansen, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes offered an update on the team\u2019s stance regarding former pass rusher Za\u2019Darius Smith.<\/p>\n
The Lions are thin at edge rusher following Levi Onwuzurike\u2019s season-ending ACL injury and Josh Paschal\u2019s landing on the non-football injury list. Even before those setbacks, there had been speculation about whether Smith could return.<\/p>\n
\u201cZa\u2019Darius did a lot of good things last year for us, and we said we\u2019re going to keep in contact with his agent. But, you know, everything\u2019s not just one-sided,\u201d Holmes said. \u201cZa\u2019Darius 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\u2019s been in the league as long as he has.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not saying that he doesn\u2019t want to be in training camp, but if he misses some time\u2026 there\u2019s obviously still interest there, and we\u2019ve been keeping in touch.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2014including three for loss\u201410 quarterback hits, four sacks, and one pass defended.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
One of those players, Marcus Davenport, has drawn praise from Holmes as he looks to bounce back. The 28-year-old\u2019s 2024 season was limited to two games due to a triceps injury, but he\u2019s impressed early in camp.<\/p>\n
\u201cDavenport, he\u2019s having an excellent camp. He really is,\u201d Holmes said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve 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\u2019s never been an ability issue. So hopefully he can have better luck there.\u201d<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe both know where I want to be,\u201d Smith said during the BET Awards in June. \u201cHopefully, I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I\u2019m 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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