ZA'DARIUS SMITH NEWS

Za'Darius Smith: 'Hopefully,' I'm back with the Detroit Lions

Free agent pass rusher Za'Darius Smith expressed that he hopes to return to the Detroit Lions next season.

JUNE 11 • FOX SPORTS

Za'Darius Smith Attending Pistons Game Sparks Hope for Lions Fans Za’Darius Smith attending Detroit Pistons game gives Detroit Lions fans hope.

APRIL 12 • SACBEE.COM

Lions add run-stuffing DT Roy Lopez with $4.65 million, one-year agreement, AP source says

The Detroit Lions and defensive tackle Roy Lopez have agreed to a $4.65 million, one-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal

MARCH 12 • Associated Press

Expected to be released The Lions are releasing Smith, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Smith was entering the second of a two-year, $23 million contract and would have been a $5.75 million cap hit for Detroit in 2025. The 33-year-old provided much-needed production off the edge after he was traded from the Browns to the Lions midway through last season, logging 4.0 sacks over the final eight games of the regular season. Smith totaled 9.0 sacks over 17 regular-season games in 2024, and he should get plenty of attention this offseason from teams in need of pass-rushing help. Meanwhile, the Lions will likely look to the Draft or free agency to find a new edge defender to play opposite Aidan Hutchinson, who is coming off a season-ending leg injury.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE

Finishes 2024 with 9.0 sacks Smith logged 35 tackles (22 solo), including 9.0 sacks, and one pass defense across 17 regular-season games in 2024.

Impact Smith was in Cleveland for the first half of the 2024 regular season, but he was traded along with a 2026 seventh-round pick to Detroit in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick. Smith's production with the Lions mirrored his output with the Browns, and he gave Detroit much needed depth at defensive end following the loss of Aidan Hutchinson (leg). Smith will be under the final year of his two-year contract in 2025 and will form a formidable pass-rushing duo with Hutchinson once the latter is fully healthy.

JANUARY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Q&A: Za'Darius Smith Hoping Third Time Is Charm in Quest for Ring Za'Darius Smith spoke to Lions OnSI to discuss his playoff journey.

JANUARY 16 • SI.COM

Packers vs. Vikings: Storied NFC North rivalry by the numbers

Here's the Packers and Vikings' historic NFC North rivalry by the numbers ahead of their 129th all-time matchup this weekend.

DECEMBER 27, 2024 • FOX SPORTS

Which NFL players stand to earn over $100K (or over $1M) these final weeks?

The end of the NFL season is near, pushing the deadline for several top players to potentially earn up to millions in performance bonuses.

DECEMBER 27, 2024 • FOX SPORTS

Sacks Love in Week 14 Smith tallied two solo tackles, including 1.0 sacks, in Detroit's 34-31 win over Green Bay in Week 14.

Impact Smith sacked Jordan Love for a seven-yard loss midway through the first quarter. Smith has logged 3.0 sacks in the four regular-season games since being acquired by the Lions in a trade with the Browns in early November, and he's up to 8.0 sacks on the season through 13 regular-season games. He'll have his work cut out for him to add to that total against Josh Allen and the Bills in Week 15.

DECEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Practices in full Wednesday Smith (personal) was not listed on Wednesday's injury report.

Impact Smith was held out of this past Sunday's game against Houston after being traded from Cleveland to Detroit on Nov. 5, but he will be good to go against Jacksonville on Sunday, Nov. 17. Through the first nine regular-season games with the Browns, Smith logged 23 tackles (15 solo), including 5.0 sacks.

NOVEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive Sunday Smith (personal) is inactive for Sunday night's contest against the Texans.

Impact Smith will be unavailable in Week 10, as expected, after he was traded from the Browns to the Lions on Tuesday. The 32-year-old will now shift his focus to being ready to go for Week 11 versus the Jaguars on Nov. 17.

NOVEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not expected to play Sunday Smith (personal), who is officially questionable for Sunday's Week 10 matchup against Houston, isn't likely to suit up, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Smith was dealt from Cleveland to Detroit on Tuesday, and Rapoport suggests that the edge rusher is "not quite ready" to make his Lions debut. Since he's not dealing with an injury, it seems likely that Smith will be able to participate in Detroit's following game, which will take place Sunday, Nov. 17 against Jacksonville. With Smith expected to be absent against the Texans, Josh Paschal and James Houston should continue to be called upon to rush the passer.

NOVEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Detroit debut Smith (personal) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Texans.

Impact Smith was just acquired from the Browns at the trade deadline Tuesday, so it's fair to wonder if he's up to speed with the defense. If cleared to play, Smith could play on strict passing downs, allowing him to rush the passer.

NOVEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Lions acquire DE Za’Darius Smith from Browns to bolster pass rush

The Lions boosted their defense before the trade deadline, making a deal with Cleveland for veteran defensive end Za’Darius Smith.

NOVEMBER 5, 2024 • FOX SPORTS

Dealt to Detroit The Lions acquired Smith and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick from the Browns on Tuesday in exchange for 2025 fifth-round draft pick and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick, Ian Rapoport...

Impact Detroit was in the market for pass-rushing help after defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (tibia/fibula) suffered a likely season-ending injury Week 6, and the addition of Smith fills that need. Through his nine games with Cleveland, Smith had notched five sacks among his 23 tackles and had generated a 19.1 percent win rate on his pass rushes, placing him 12th among edge rushers with at least 60 attempts, per Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. Smith should be ready to make his Lions debut this Sunday against the Texans.

NOVEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Working through illness Smith (illness) did not practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Smith logged his fifth sack of the season during this past Sunday's win over the Ravens. However, the 2015 fourth-round pick is dealing with an illness, which kept him out of practice Wednesday and may impact his availability over the next two days. The Browns' final injury report Friday will indicate whether Smith will be able to suit up against the Chargers on Sunday.

OCTOBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Registers fourth sack of 2024 Smith tallied two tackles (one solo), including 1.0 sacks, during Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Bengals.

Impact Smith took down Joe Burrow for a seven-yard loss midway through the second quarter, which forced the Bengals to punt the ball away on the next play. Smith logged 5.5 sacks through 16 regular-season games in 2023, but he's already up to 4.0 sacks through the first seven games of the 2024 campaign.

OCTOBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Gets to quarterback again Smith recorded three tackles (two solo) including 1.0 sacks during Sunday's 34-13 loss at Washington.

Impact Smith's sack Sunday was his third of the season through five games. He's on pace for the fourth double-digit sack season of his career, and he has some IDP allure heading into a Week 6 matchup at Philadelphia.

OCTOBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go vs. Washington Smith (neck) was limited in Friday's practice but does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Commanders.

Impact Smith popped up on Thursday's practice report with a neck injury. While he was limited in practice Thursday and Friday, there appears to be no concern that the 2015 fourth-round pick is in jeopardy of missing Sunday's game. Smith has accrued 10 tackles (seven solo), including 2.0 sacks, through the first four games of the regular season.

OCTOBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Bumps up activity Smith (neck) was a limited participant during practice Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Smith logged a DNP on Wednesday and his return to the field could have him on a trajectory to suit up Sunday against the Commanders. His practice status for Friday could bring greater clarity on his chances to do so.

OCTOBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

All clear for Week 2 Smith (back) practiced in a limited fashion Friday and does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Smith and Myles Garrett (foot) have both bene cleared for Sunday's road matchup. It appears that the tandem of veteran pass rushers were simply dealing with soreness. Smith tallied three tackles (two solo) and 1.0 sacks versus Dallas in Week 1 and will look to keep up his momentum versus Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville on Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sits out Thursday's practice Smith (back) is listed as a non-participant on Thursday's practice reports, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Impact Smith is a new addition to the injury report, but per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, his back issue is considered minor and mostly relates to soreness. The same is true of fellow edge rusher Myles Garrett (foot). As long as Smith and Garrett can practice in at least limited capacities Friday, it will bode well for their chances of being available versus Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars on Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE