Detroit Lions rumors: Reunion with Ndamukong Suh does not appear to be coming

In the wake of the Detroit Lions signing veteran defensive tackle Tyson Alualu to their practice squad on Tuesday, with Alim McNeill going on IR, many fans wondered about Ndamukong Suh. The former Lion is available, as he eyes joining a contending team late in the season like he did with the Philadelphia Eagles last year.

The Lions and Suh sure seem like a solid fit.

Back after Week 7, appearing on Sky Sports, said he had spoken to the Baltimore Ravens. With the notion he's looking to sign soon, the Eagles may be interested in a reunion. Ultimately, in that conversation on Sky Sports, Suh was not ready to rule any contending team out.

"Where’s the right fit? Where’s the right opportunity? Where can I go and add value? I don’t just want to sit there and watch other guys be successful,” Suh said. “Have options, that’s the key, and make decisions from there.”

Suh is clearly well past his prime, spent mostly with the Lions as it were after they drafted him No. 2 overall in 2010 (four of his five career Pro Bowl selections). But he can definitely be useful to a team. He had six sacks in both 2020 and 2021, though in eight appearances for the Eagles last year his numbers weren't great.

The Lions fit the bill as a contender, and their need for interior defensive line help is even greater now with McNeill out at least the next four games.

Detroit Lions rumors: Reunion with Ndamukong Suh is likely not happening

Everyone from Suh's first stint in Detroit is gone, long gone in most cases. Director of pro scouting Rob Lohman was with the organization. Head coach Dan Campbell was on the Miami Dolphins' coaching staff in Suh's first year there (2015), as he finished that season as the interim head coach there.

On Wednesday, Campbell was asked if the Lions have looked into a reunion with Suh. He partially deferred to general manager Brad Holmes.

"Yeah, listen, Brad’s looked at all of it,” Campbell said. “We haven’t overlooked anybody. We looked at everybody. At this moment, we’ve made the decision we feel like was best for us.”

So there it is. The Lions looked into signing Suh, to some degree anyway, and deemed he was not a fit right now. Campbell didn't seem to rule out revisiting it if circumstances went that way, but the idea of Suh coming back to Detroit can pretty much be put to bed.