Lions head coach Dan Campbell gives expected update on when Bruce Irvin might play

When he signed, first reported two weeks ago on Tuesday and announced by the team the next day, it was too quick a turnaround for Bruce Irvin to make his Detroit Lions' debut in Week 11. A short week with no actual practices made it impractical for him to play on Thanksgiving Day against the Green Bay Packers.

Irvin has not played since January, in a playoff game for the Seattle Seahawks, and he was not in training camp anywhere this year. He showed up at Allen Park in great shape by all accounts, but he openly acknowledged the difference between that and football shape after his first practice with the team.

"I don't care how much you work out, there's nothing like wearing pads and a helmet," Irvin said.

The Lions can certainly use whatever Irvin can bring to a lackluster pass rush that has just two sacks over the last three games, and has been non-existent at times this season. He had 3.5 sacks for the Seahawks in 11 regular season games last year, and one sack in the aforementioned playoff loss to the 49ers. So even at 36 years old, he should offer some help in a rotational role.

Dan Campbell offers the expected update on Bruce Irvin

During his weekly appearance on 97.1 The Ticket Tuesday morning, Campbell talked about the possibility Irvin is elevated from the practice squad to make his Lions' debut against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

"Potentially,” We're looking at everybody and he's a guy that we got our eye on. So, we'll see. He's somebody we're going to talk about heavily today." 

Irvin has become well-traveled in recent years. The Lions are his sixth team since 2018, and he has just 3.5 sacks over the last three seasons (19 total games). But as long as he is in "football shape", there's no reason for the Lions not to put him on the active roster this week and see what he can do-even if he doesn't play many snaps.

So barring something unforeseen, as could have been expected when he was signed, it looks like Irvin will make his Lions' debut on Sunday in New Orleans.