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Detroit Lions vs. Texans inactives: Za'Darius Smith debut will have to wait
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- Detroit Lions vs. Texans inactives: Za'Darius Smith debut will have to wait
HOUSTON — Za'Darius Smith will get his bye week after all.
Smith, the Detroit Lions ' newly-acquired defensive end, is inactive for tonight's game against the Houston Texans .
The Lions acquired Smith in a deadline day trade with the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday. Smith drove to Detroit immediately after the trade, but Lions coach Dan Campbell gave him Wednesday and Thursday off of practice to handle personal matters.
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The Browns are on bye this week, and Smith traveled back to Florida to survey minor damage to his home and property following last month's hurricanes.
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Smith returned to practice Friday and said he hoped to play against the Texans, but Campbell hinted Smith's Lions debut might wait until next week's home game with the Jacksonville Jaguars .
The Lions have struggled to generate a consistent pass rush since Aidan Hutchinson broke his leg in Week 6. Smith had five sacks in nine games with the Browns and 65 in his 10-year career.
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Along with Smith, left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder), linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle), safety Loren Strickland and offensive linemen Gio Manu, Colby Sorsdal and Christian Mahogany also are inactive for the Lions (7-1).
The Texans (6-3) will be without starting defensive end Will Johnson and receiver Nico Collins . Collins, who was activated off injured reserve this week, will miss his fifth straight game with a hamstring injury.
Dave Birkett will sign copies of his new book, " Detroit Lions : An Illustrated Timeline" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Victory in Northville. Order your copy here . Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions inactives vs Texans: Za'Darius Smith's debut will wait
