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Detroit Lions already have Kerry Hyder’s replacement in-house

By Steven Mullenax

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 18: Cornelius Washington #90 of the Chicago Bears stands on the sidelines in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on December 18, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 18: Cornelius Washington #90 of the Chicago Bears stands on the sidelines in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on December 18, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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After their reigning sack leader, Kerry Hyder Jr., was lost for the season to an Achilles injury, the Detroit Lions already have his replacement in-house.

One of the bigger questions circling around the Detroit Lions entering the new season is exactly where their pass rush is going to come from. If Sunday’s preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts is any indication, the answer is everywhere.

But the response you get more often than not is defensive end Ziggy Ansah. The 28-year old reached Pro Bowl status in 2015, racking up an incredible 14.5 sacks and cementing himself as one of the league’s premier pass rushers. Yet, an ankle injury hurt Ansah’s effectiveness last season as he recorded just 2.0 sacks in 13 games.

Instead, a majority of the Lions’ sack production came from three-year NFL veteran Kerry Hyder Jr. The undrafted defensive end surprised everyone, posting a team-leading 8.0 sacks for Detroit in 2016. So the Motor City suffered a tremendous loss on Sunday when Hyder tore his Achilles early during the matchup against the Colts.

Hyder’s season-ending injury, and the fact Ansah is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list due to his ankle, leaves the Lions’ with major questions along their defensive line. And the fact Detroit ranked a lowly 30th in sacks last season is worrisome.

But at least it appears the Lions’ have one answer to those building questions. Hyder’s replacement is already in-house. And he was signed in the offseason. It’s former Chicago Bears’ defensive lineman Cornelius Washington.

The 27-year old defender signed a two-year, $5.8 million contract to join the Lions back in March. A former 2013 sixth round selection out of Georgia, Washington spent his first four seasons coming off the bench in Chicago. Although he’s only recorded 3.0 total sacks in his career, Lions’ head coach Jim Caldwell believes the 6-foot-4, 280 pound Washington has the tools to be an effective defensive end.

"“[Washington’s] a little bit different body type because he’s got a lot of power and he’s a power rusher,” Caldwell told the team’s official website. “He’s got all the intangibles you’re looking for in terms of hustle and drive and tenacity and all those kinds of things, but he’s going to be able to set an edge for you, that’s for certain.”"

Last season was the best year Cornelius Washington’s every had in the NFL. He recorded 20 total tackles, 2.0 sacks and one pass defend after starting in his first two games as a professional. With Kerry Hyder Jr. lost for the season, the Detroit Lions have to hope Washington continues his upward trajectory and builds on what he started in Chicago.

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