The Detroit Lions are taking steps to strengthen their injury-plagued defensive line by signing edge rusher Isaiah Thomas from the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad, according to ESPN.
Thomas, standing at 6 feet 5 inches 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. In his rookie season, he recorded one sack and nine tackles over 10 games.
On October 31, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio, Browns defensive end Isaiah Thomas (58) successfully sacked Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. (Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports)
Thomas joins a Lions defense that has already lost its top three edge rushers, likely for the remainder of the season.
Aidan Hutchinson sustained a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg during Sunday’s victory over the Dallas Cowboys, which will require a four- to six-month recovery period. Marcus Davenport is out for the season due to a torn triceps suffered in a Week 3 win against the Arizona Cardinals. Additionally, outside linebacker Derrick Barnes is expected to be sidelined for the season after a knee injury in the same game.
Josh Paschal has stepped in for Davenport in the starting lineup, while the Lions utilized practice squad pass rusher Isaac Ukwu and linebacker Trevor Nowaske to finish the Cowboys game at defensive end.
