Detroit Lions

NOTEBOOK: This week, the Lions are looking for pass rushers to step up.

Published

4 months ago

October 26, 2024

Lions general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell need to find out before the Nov. 5 trade deadline how aggressive they have to be in adding edge help.

Playing last week for the first time without Aidan Hutchinson (broken leg), Josh Paschal was the only true edge rusher to record a sack or quarterback hit. The other three sacks were recorded by blitzing linebackers. Defensive tackle DJ Reader added a quarterback hit.

Paschal didn’t practice all week due to an illness and said Friday he isn’t playing Sunday but will be back next week.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be here for this game,” he said. “But I’ll be back next week. It’ll be a quick turnaround. I really don’t really want to elaborate too much, it’s personal stuff, but it’s a quick turnaround so it won’t be too long.”

Detroit will once again need others to step up upfront on the edge, and three players Campbell has talked about this week to get an opportunity are Isaiah Thomas, Al-Quadin Muhammad and James Houston.

The newly acquired Thomas (6-5, 270) will make his debut Sunday against the Titans after the Lions signed him off Cincinnati’s practice squad last week.

“He’s done enough during the week to want to get him out there and get him some reps,” Campbell said. “He’s in a good place and we’re excited to see him play. Terrell (Williams) and I were talking about it this morning because he’s got length, he’s got size, strength, he’s smart and plays hard. So, it’ll be exciting to see how he does.”

Campbell on player expectations

Thomas told detroitlions.com on Friday he was excited for the opportunity.

“I know one thing they can get out of me is consistency and discipline,” he said. “The fans are going to see a guy flying around and making plays, honestly. I feel like I’m in that time of my career where I’m still young and can go out there and fly around, be productive and be versatile in certain aspects. They get a guy who’s out there who is physical, fast and out there making plays.”

Muhammad (6-3, 250), who is currently on Detroit’s practice squad and likely to be elevated for Sunday’s game, was with Campbell in New Orleans in 2017. He had a career-high six sacks for Indianapolis in 2021.

“Yeah, you don’t have to worry about a guy playing the game with some nastiness and aggressiveness, strength,” Campbell said of Muhammad. “He’s going to set an edge, he’s going to play hard, he is competitive, he’s a finisher, and he’s got a little bit of rush ability.

“He’s more of a kind of push the pocket power, and then plays off of that, but it’s more about him coming in to do some of the dirty work and just bring your hard hat, bring your lunch pail type guy. He’s going to give us a good day’s work.”

Houston will also get another week to show that he can regain some of the production we saw at the end of 2022. Campbell said he’ll also be looking for the entire defensive line unit to step up this week and spread the load with Levi Onwuzurike, Alim McNeill, Reader, Mekhi Wingo and Pat O’Connor doing their part too.

MAHOGANY DECISION

The Lions have to decide early next week on the roster status of rookie guard Christian Mahogany, as his 21-day practice window will be up and Detroit will have to choose to either put him on IR or activate him to 53-man roster. Mahogany is currently on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list.

“He’s made strides every week and that has been very noticeable,” Campbell said. “I think it would be hard to say that you don’t want to continue this progress, that would be hard to say. But until I talk to Brad, I won’t know for sure on that.”

Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley said Friday he likes the progress the rookie has made over the last three weeks.

“It’s been fun to have him back,” Fraley said. “Honestly, watching him come back, it’s kind of what you saw in OTAs when we did see him play. It like, ‘Man, he’s got something to him.’ He’s come back hungry and really fit in the room and it’s been exciting to see him.”

The Lions drafted Mahogany in the sixth round of this year’s NFL Draft and touted his nastiness and strength. He could add even more depth to that stout Lions offensive front.

Fraley on offensive line flexibility

NOWASKE STEPPING UP

The Lions have been intrigued with the versatility of linebacker Trevor Nowaske. It’s why they signed the Saginaw Valley State product to their practice squad as an undrafted rookie and made it a point to sign him back before this season after he was claimed by Arizona at the end of last season.

He’s recorded a sack in each of the last two weeks stepping into the SAM linebacker role made vacant by the knee injury to Derrick Barnes.

“That SAM position is not an easy position, it’s not for everybody,” defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said this week. “Listen, there’s a reason why we wanted him back, because we knew what he brought to the table. So, he’s going to continue to grow, he’s going to continue to grow in our system, and I like what he’s doing for us.”

Glenn will continue to put more and more on Nowaske’s plate as he continues to develop and make plays.

HOME COOKING

The Lions haven’t played in front of their home fans since Sept. 30 vs. Seattle. That’s nearly a month.

“Yeah, just it feels good to get back in front of our fans, our place, the environment of it, our own home routine,” Campbell said Friday. “You get things done here and you’re back at your own place. It’s just – it’s good.”