The Detroit Lions have signed defensive end Isaiah Thomas from the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad to strengthen their injury-depleted defensive line, as reported by ESPN.
Thomas, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 270 pounds, played college football at Oklahoma and was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He recorded one sack and nine tackles over 10 games during his rookie season.
His arrival comes as the Lions face season-ending injuries to their top three edge rushers. Aidan Hutchinson fractured his left tibia and fibula in Sunday’s win against the Dallas Cowboys, requiring four to six months of rehabilitation.
Marcus Davenport is out for the year with a torn triceps from a Week 3 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, and linebacker Derrick Barnes likely suffered a season-ending knee injury in the same game.
Josh Paschal replaced Davenport in the starting lineup, while practice squad player Isaac Ukwu and linebacker Trevor Nowaske filled in at defensive end to finish the Cowboys game.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said on Monday that while the team is open to signing more veteran defensive players, they are not rushing into any decisions and will first assess their internal options.
“Every year, this situation comes up. (General manager Brad Holmes) is always looking at potential help. We evaluate whether it makes sense and what it would cost, but just because options are out there doesn’t mean we’ll act unless it’s the right move,” Campbell said.
