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Lions still mulling Za'Darius Smith availability vs. Texans; Taylor Decker (shoulder) out
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- Lions still mulling Za'Darius Smith availability vs. Texans; Taylor Decker (shoulder) out
Za'Darius Smith practiced Friday with the Detroit Lions for the first time since his trade Tuesday from the Cleveland Browns , but Lions coach Dan Campbell said the team has not decided yet if Smith will make his Lions debut Sunday against the Houston Texans .
"We'll get him moving around a little bit and we're prepared to see what we can do and where we can go with him," Campbell said in Allen Park at the team facility.
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The Lions acquired Smith for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a swap of 2026 draft choices at Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, then gave him Wednesday and Thursday off practice to get his affairs in order.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Za'Darius Smith sacks Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during the second half at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Cleveland.
Smith went through stretching and position drills in front of reporters Friday, and will have a limited role if he plays Sunday, Campbell said.
FILM STUDY: Za'Darius Smith won't replace Aidan Hutchinson, but will help Lions pass rush
The Lions have struggled to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks since Aidan Hutchinson broke his leg in a Week 6 win over the Dallas Cowboys , and have had more leaks in their usually solid run defense. The Lions allowed 83.2 rushing yards per game through the first five games of the season, and have given up 145 rushing yards per game in their three games without Hutchinson.
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Campbell said Smith should help in both areas.
"Impact is really doing your job, how does he play into what everybody else is doing, and so I would say it can help," Campbell said. "That's one of the reasons he's here."
Left tackle Taylor Decker missed practice Friday with a shoulder injury he suffered Thursday and will not play Sunday.
With Decker out, the Lions could shift personnel on their offensive line, moving right tackle Penei Sewell to left tackle and starting Dan Skipper at left tackle. Sewell played half his rookie season at left tackle in 2021 after Decker suffered a finger injury days before the season opener, and made two starts at the position last year when Decker was out with an ankle injury.
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The Texans (6-3) have one of the best pass rushes in the NFL with Will Anderson Jr. (8½ sacks) and Danielle Hunter (5½ sacks) at defensive end, but Anderson is out Sunday with an ankle injury .
"It's really about how he heals up," Campbell said of Decker. "I don't feel like this is something major, but we need to see really how he feels over the next 48 hours."
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Lions linebackers Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle) and Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck) also missed practice Friday and are out Sunday. Smith is officially questionable.
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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 still mulling Za'Darius Smith availability vs Texans
