Al-Quadin Muhammad makes big promise for Lions' pass rush vs. Packers

Until an outside move is announced, the Detroit Lions have to roll with players on their roster to chip in along the defensive line. That means Al-Quadin Muhammad is going to need a solid Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers.

Muhammad showed up strong against the Tennessee Titans in Week 8. While he didn't register a stat in the blowout win, he pressured the pocket well and was a factor most of the day. That could lead to bigger days ahead.

Speaking this week, Muhammad explained that he felt good in his first taste of action with the Lions and made a promise as to what could lay ahead with his game.

"I feel as though I was just knocking the rust off a little bit and this week, I think you guys are going to see some great things out of me. I think I played really physical and played fast. Flied around, but I'm definitely going to take it to another step. I feel like I was just knocking the rust off a little bit and I was really excited to be out there."

How does Muhammad envision taking things to that extra level? Simply by playing loose and feeling more comfortable within a new defense he is still learning.

"It's playing free. That's it. Just week by week you get more comfortable within the scheme and (with) what the coaches are asking you to do. So (it's) just (you) playing free. That's it."

The Lions collected only one sack against the Titans in spite of generating pressure, so this week, they are going to have to find a way to pay off that pressure. It will be all hands on deck as it relates to getting that done, and Muhammad will have a very important role/

Al-Quadin Muhammad praises Lions' teammates

If Muhammed is going to have success in Detroit, it won't be all his own doing, of course. Other players will have an impact on what happens up front. Already, Muhammad is impressed with what he has seen from his bigger-name teammates like D.J. Reader and Alim McNeill.

"It's great. I mean, those guys, they're always positive and they play with the right mentality and they're just great communicators and stuff like that. I just came here, so they've been helping me out a lot so it's great to just be around those guys and have them just bring me along as one of their brothers."

The Lions have never needed to lean on collective pass rush production as much as they will in this moment, whether from Reader, McNell or anyone else. Another road battle for NFC North supremacy is a good opportunity for Muhammad to make his mark and show he is capable of becoming a solution in Detroit.