The 7-1 Detroit Lions have addressed their lack of defensive ends with a big deadline day.
The Cleveland Browns are sending Za’Darius Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Lions for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick, DailyMail.com has confirmed. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network was the first to report the deal.
The 32-year-old Smith has five sacks in eight games this season and could make a big move in replacing injured Pro-Bowl selection Aidan Hutchinson, who broke both his tibia and fibula in Week 6.
Other defensive linemen injured include Brodric Martin (knee), Joshua Paschal (illness) and Mekhi Wingo (ankle), all of whom were sidelined for Sunday’s win over the rival Green Bay Packers.
Depending on who returns for Wednesday’s practice, the Lions could have a dramatically different depth chart entering Sunday night’s game against the Houston Texans.
The Browns send Za’Darius Smith to the Lions for two late-round draft picks
Detroit Lions defenseman Aidan Hutchinson suffered a horrific broken leg in Week 6
Considered by many to be a Super Bowl contender after reaching the NFC Championship last season, the Lions’ biggest obstacle this season has been injuries along the defensive line.
“I feel like we can beat anyone in the league,” coach Dan Campbell said Monday after the Lions improved to 7-1 for the first time since 1956.