Detroit Lions set to add defensive end off Bengals' practice squad

With Marcus Davenport and now Aidan Hutchinson out, the Detroit Lions are adding some outside defensive line help. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Lions are planning to sign defensive end Isaiah Thomas off the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad.

Thomas was a seventh-round pick by the Cleveland Browns out of Oklahoma in the 2022 NFL Draft. He played in 10 games (162 snaps) as a rookie, with one sack and nine tackles. He spent last season on the Browns' practice squad, and they waived him in August. The Bengals added him to their practice squad, and now he's headed for the Lions.

Thomas (6-foot-5, 266 pounds) certainly fits the physical profile the Lions want in their edge players. He posted a 9.16 Relative Athletic Score at the 2022 NFL Combine. Over his final two collegiate seasons at Oklahoma, he had 16.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss.

On Monday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell dismissed any urgency to add someone to replace Hutchinson. Less than 24 hours after Hutchinson went down, and with some time before the trade deadline, that sentiment was completely expected.

Dan Campbell fully confirmed what first move to replace Aidan Hutchinson would be

During his weekly appearance on 97.1 The Ticket Tuesday morning, just before the news the Lions intend to sign Thomas surfaced, Campbell basically revealed what the first move would be in any effort to replace Hutchinson.

"Honestly I think if anything, you’re looking for really a role player, somebody that can set an edge, that can transition into rush," Campbell said. "I mean, look, as you guys know, elite rushers and edge setters don’t just fall off trees — or if they do, then you’re going to have to sell the farm to get them. But I do think there could be some guys out there, man, that'll fit into what we're doing defensively. They can serve a role, they can help supplement what's going on inside with Mac and Reader and those guys. I think if anything, you're looking for at least a complimentary piece."

Since the Lions are signing Thomas off another team's practice squad, he has to be signed to the 53-man roster. At least three weeks of his salary will also be fully guaranteed, whether he stays on the roster or not.

Adding Thomas is only the first move to try to find some edge rusher help in the wake of Hutchinson's injury. It shouldn't be, and probably won't be, the last move made in that effort. But Campbell has effectively squashed any idea that a noteworthy move will be made.