Lions Have Not Had Contract Talks With Impending Defensive Free Agents
After securing the NFC’s No. 1 seed last year, the Lions will not qualify for the postseason in 2025. One of the reasons for the disappointing campaign is a defense that is currently in the bottom-10 in the NFL in terms of points allowed, and since the Lions have 17 defensive players eligible for unrestricted free agency in the upcoming offseason, they have a chance to reset and reconfigure.
Of course, not every defender has underperformed, and it stands to reason that Detroit will want to retain some of them. DE Al-Quadin Muhammad, for instance, has been an unexpected bright spot for defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard’s unit. After re-upping with the Lions via a modest one-year pact in March, Muhammad has achieved career-highs with 58 quarterback pressures and 11 sacks, thereby setting himself up for a nice raise.
However, Muhammad will turn 31 in March. His belated breakout, journeyman status, and the fact that most of his damage has been done in subpackages will prevent his next contract from breaking the bank, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Muhammad acknowledges that he and the team have not discussed an extension, though he would understandably welcome a new deal keeping him with the Lions.
Like Muhammad and all of the Lions’ other pending FAs on the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Alex Anzalone has not had in-season dialogue with Detroit brass about a new deal. The 31-year-old expressed disappointment with his contract situation over the summer, and while the Lions did not extend him, they gave him a $250K raise and added another $750K of incentives.
Anzalone has justified that minor contractual adjustment by playing in 96% of the Lions’ defensive snaps, recording 95 tackles, and proving himself as the team’s best coverage ‘backer. Birkett confirms prior reports suggesting the Lions will pursue an offseason extension for 2023 first-rounder Jack Campbell, and the team already authorized a three-year, $25.5MM deal for Derrick Barnes in March (which includes $7.5MM in 2026 guarantees). Even though most teams do not have three linebackers on notable deals, Birkett believes the Lions could make an exception for Anzalone, who says his prior dispute has not dissuaded him from remaining with the club.
After giving DE Marcus Davenport consecutive one-year contracts in the hopes that he would serve as an effective piece of their pass-rushing contingent, the Lions seem unlikely to bring him back in 2026, as Birkett suggests. Detroit appreciates Davenport’s efforts to overcome his injury woes, but he has been limited to nine games and 1.5 sacks over his two years in the Motor City.
Unlike Davenport, cornerback Amik Robertson has more than lived up to his contract, a two-year, $9.25MM deal he signed in 2024, by displaying versatility and durability over the 2024-25 campaigns. While he does not explicitly say so, Birkett implies Detroit will be interested in a new deal for Robertson, as the club will need depth and experience at the CB position.
Defensive tackles D.J. Reader and Roy Lopez are also eligible for free agency, and if the Lions have to choose between the two, Birkett thinks they will pick Lopez. Although he has played fewer snaps than Reader and fellow DTs Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams, Lopez has been the most effective of the bunch. The 28-year-old is also three years younger than Reader and, in Birkett’s view, should not cost much more than the $3.5MM he earned in 2025.
Lions Activate DE Marcus Davenport From IR
For the second year in a row, Lions pass rusher Marcus Davenport‘s season was put on pause after only two game appearances when he was placed on injured reserve with a pectoral strain that knocked him out of the team’s Week 2 contest. Unlike last year, though, Davenport will get to see the field again. The Lions announced today that they have activated Davenport from IR. 
Injuries have played a significant role in Davenport’s NFL career to this point. Now in his eighth year in the league, Davenport has never appeared in every game of a season. Despite some offseason surgery after his rookie year in New Orleans, Davenport stayed relatively healthy throughout most of his first two years as a pro. He missed three games as a rookie then started every game of his sophomore campaign up until he suffered a foot injury that put him on IR for the final three games of the year.
He got a late start to the 2020 season, missing the first four games of the season, and as a result, he came off the bench for much of the year behind Cameron Jordan and Trey Hendrickson. At that point in his career, Davenport had shown flashes but only totaled 12.0 sacks in three years. The Saints showed their confidence in Davenport, exercising his fifth-year option, and he returned to more of starting role the next year, rewarding the team’s faith with a nine-sack performance. Those sacks came despite the fact that he missed six games in 2021, including four from an IR stint due to a shoulder injury.
Davenport underwent five offseason surgeries before playing out his fifth-year option, including a partial amputation on one of his fingers, but he appeared in career-high 15 contests, starting nine of them. While his attendance was much improved, his production was not. In his contract year, Davenport logged only half of a sack. This led to him signing a one-year, $13MM prove-it contract with the Vikings in 2023, and a high ankle sprain ended his year in Minnesota after appearing in only four of the first six games of the season.
That led to his current two-year stay in Detroit which has seen him — and several other Lions pass rushers — plagued with injuries. It looked at the start of the year that Davenport and star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson would shake off their prior year injuries, but Davenport will get another chance at that as he returns to the active roster. During Davenport’s absence, outside linebacker Derrick Barnes (4.0 sacks) and defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad (6.0) have filled in admirably opposite Hutchinson (8.5).
The Lions made several roster moves while activating Davenport from IR. They also activated LSU fifth-round rookie offensive guard Miles Frazier from the reserve/physically unable to perform list, where he started the season due to a knee injury. To make room on the 53-man roster, they waived backup running back Craig Reynolds. Detroit signed tight end Anthony Firkser and wide receiver Tom Kennedy to its practice squad and designated center Kingsley Eguakun and tight end Zach Horton as standard gameday practice squad elevations for its Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Packers tomorrow.
NFL Injury Updates: McManus, Ingram, Pearsall, Lions
The Packers are without regular kicker Brandon McManus today after he spent the week as “doubtful” on the injury report with a right quad injury, per Ryan Wood of USA Today. Backup kicker Lucas Havrisik is taking over kicking duties at MetLife today.
McManus’ quad injury has lingered since it forced him to miss the team’s Week 6 & 7 games earlier this year. Havrisik signed with Green Bay after a successful audition that also featured Greg Joseph. Havrisik was perfect in his two games in relief of McManus. He converted all four field goal attempts, including a career-long 61-yarder, and all six extra point attempts.
This will be McManus’ third missed game of the year. It’s not clear at the moment how much this week’s setback will affect him moving forward. Havirisik’s consistent presence on the 53-man roster means the Packers will be prepared for whatever his prognosis may be.
Here are a few other injury updates from around the NFL:
- With starting right guard Ed Ingram once again out this week for the Texans‘ trip to Tennessee as he deals with a sprained knee, the Texans have shifted usual starting right tackle Tytus Howard inside to right guard and tapped veteran tackle Trent Brown to sub in at right tackle, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Brown started there last week when Howard was out with a concussion.
- Brock Purdy isn’t the only offensive player the 49ers are getting back after a long absence. Per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, second-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will also play today after missing every game since Week 4. Sitting out of practice for most of that time, as well, Pearsall was able to string together a couple limited practices before finally being a full participant on Friday.
- Despite rising optimism for returns soon to come, the Lions ruled pass rusher Marcus Davenport, cornerback D.J. Reed, linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, and rookie offensive guard Miles Frazier out for their game tonight, meaning all four players will remain on injured reserve with a designation to return.
Lions Designate CB D.J. Reed, DE Marcus Davenport To Return From IR
The Lions are designating cornerback D.J. Reed and defensive end Marcus Davenport to return from injured reserve, per Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers. Both defenders are expected to practice with the team on Wednesday.
Reed landed on IR at the beginning of October due to a strained hamstring. He signed in Detroit this offseason and was off to an excellent start with his new team. Through four games, he allowed receptions on only eight of his 16 targets with four passes defended, putting him on pace for the best season of his career. Rock Ya-Sin has seen an increase in playing time in Reed’s absence and will likely return to a backup role upon his return. However, Terrion Arnold is dealing with a concussion, so Ya-Sin could still start this week even if Reed is ready to play.
Davenport suffered a Week 2 injury for the second year in a row. In 2024, it was a season-ending elbow injury, but he avoided disaster this time with a pectoral strain. The veteran defensive lineman has taken longer to return than the four-game minimum stay on IR, but he could be a late-season boost to the Lions’ pass rush.
The team has 30 sacks on the season, which ranks fourth in the league, though most of that production has come from four players. Edge rushers Aidan Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad both have eight sacks, while linebackers Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes have chipped in four apiece. Davenport will add some depth on the edge and potentially allow defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard to come up with some more creative pressure packages.
Lions Confident Marcus Davenport Will Return This Season
The Lions are expected to have a quiet trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean the team won’t be getting some reinforcement. Speaking to reporters last week, coach Dan Campbell expressed optimism that Marcus Davenport will return to the field at some point during the 2025 campaign.
[RELATED: Lions Unlikely To Be Active At Trade Deadline]
“I can’t give you a definitive, ‘This is when he’s going to be back,'” Campbell said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “I am just very confident he is going to be back. We’re going to get him back here.”
Davenport has struggled to see the field since joining the Lions ahead of the 2024 campaign. He was limited to two games during his first season in Detroit because of a triceps injury, and he’s only made a pair of appearances in 2025 thanks to a pectoral strain. The veteran has been sitting on injured reserve since Week 3.
Injuries have been a theme throughout Davenport’s career. The former first-round pick missed 19 games in five seasons with the Saints. He had a staggering five surgeries during the 2022 offseason, including a partial amputation of a finger. He still earned a one-year, $13MM contract from the Vikings in 2023, but he got into only four games with the team before suffering a season-ending high ankle sprain.
When Davenport has been on the field, he’s shown flashes of being an elite edge rusher. He totaled 10.5 sacks through his first two seasons in the NFL, and he had a nine-sack showing in 2021. Even though he’s been limited to a total of eight games over the past three years, he’s still managed to collect 3.5 sacks, including one in 56 snaps this season.
While the Lions clearly can’t be overly reliant on the pass rusher, they will surely find a way to use him. With Josh Paschal also sidelined, the Lions have turned to the likes of Al-Quadin Muhammad and Tyler Lacy opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Muhammad has been especially productive in a part-time role, collecting six sacks in eight games. Still, a player of Davenport’s caliber could at the very least provide Detroit’s defense with an extra body during the second half of the season.
Lions Inquiring About Edge Rushers
The Lions acquired notable pass-rushing help before last season’s trade deadline in landing Za’Darius Smith from the Browns. A year later, the Lions could address the same area before the upcoming Nov. 4 deadline. They’re making calls for an edge rusher, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
The addition of Smith came a few weeks after the Lions lost elite pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending broken tibia. Now healthy, Hutchinson has come back this year to thrive during the Lions’ 5-2 start. The 25-year-old has racked up six sacks and four forced fumbles, and Pro Football Focus ranks his performance second among 113 qualifying defensive ends.
In addition to Hutchinson, Detroit has gotten strong work from Al-Quadin Muhammad, who already has five sacks and is just one away from tying a career high. Muhammad’s emergence has come in the absence of Marcus Davenport, on IR since Sept. 22 with a pectoral strain.
Davenport has already missed five games after missing most of the past two seasons, and with the Lions now on a bye, he could return in Week 9. It doesn’t appear that will happen, though, as head coach Dan Campbell suggested last week that Davenport probably won’t be ready until late November (via Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News).
By the time Davenport is back in the fold, he could be part of a deeper group of rushers if general manager Brad Holmes reels in help for the second deadline in a row. While it’s unclear which players Holmes has targeted, Titans outside linebacker Arden Key could be a name to watch in Detroit’s search, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
As a soon-to-be free agent on a team that could conduct a fire sale, Key is an obvious trade candidate. Key has missed back-to-back games with a quadriceps injury and has only totaled 1.5 sacks in five contests this year, but he amassed 23.5 over the previous four seasons. If he ends up in Detroit and returns to his past production, Key would give the team another solid complement to Hutchinson.
With a $6.5MM salary and a $9.29MM cap hit, the Lions wouldn’t have trouble absorbing what’s left of Key’s contract. The team has over $25MM in cap space, which should give Holmes plenty of room to maneuver over the next couple of weeks.
Lions Place DE Marcus Davenport On IR
Marcus Davenport was limited to just two games during his debut Lions campaign. The veteran edge rusher is once again in store for a notable absence.
Davenport was placed on injured reserve on Monday, per a team announcement. The move ensures he will miss at least the next four games, beginning with tonight’s contest against the Ravens. It was already known Detroit would be without Davenport for Week 3, but it is now clear a longer absence will be in store.
With that said, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Davenport is dealing with a pectoral strain. As a result, he is viewed as a candidate to return later this season. Per Rapoport, the 29-year-old should be back in the fold shortly after the four-week timeframe guaranteed by the IR stint.
Today’s news means the worst-case scenario has been avoided, but it adds further to Davenport’s history of missed time. The former Saints first-rounder did not manage to log a full campaign during his five years with New Orleans. That span was followed by a single campaign with the Vikings, during which Davenport played only four games. As expected, he was forced to take another one-year deal on the open market upon arrival in Detroit.
During his debut Lions season, Davenport went down with an elbow injury which limited him to just 89 snaps. His absence was one of many endured on defense in 2024 and was acutely felt once Aidan Hutchinson was lost for the year. Davenport remained in the Motor City by re-signing in March. He did so on another one-year pact, one which checked in at a lower value than his first Detroit deal ($2.5MM compared to $6.5MM).
Hutchinson is healthy, so losing Davenport may not deal a massive blow to the Lions’ defensive front. The latter has nevertheless started both of the team’s opening two games, logging a 48% snap share along the way and recording one sack. Losing Davenport will thus lead to changes along the edge for the time being. Detroit sits at 1-1 entering today’s game, but the team’s defense will be shorthanded for weeks to come.
NFL Injury Updates: Penning, Thomas, Seahawks, MNF
The Saints have been dealing with multiple injuries on the offensive line this week. In his first season with the team, guard Dillon Radunz has been spot starting in place of presumed starting guard Trevor Penning, who has been dealing with a turf toe injury since the preseason.
Per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football, Radunz has been ruled out as he deals with a toe injury of his own. Penning, though, may be available to retake a starting spot. The fourth-year lineman hasn’t played yet in 2025, but he returned to practice on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Katherine Terrell.
Formerly the Saints’ starting right tackle, Penning was expected to shift into a starting role on the inside as first-round Texas rookie Kelvin Banks took the starting left tackle job, pushing last year’s first-round rookie left tackle, Taliese Fuaga, to the right side of the line. Penning was a limited participant for the rest of the week of practice, and he’s listed as questionable, but with Radunz out, Penning may be challenged to make his season debut.
Fuaga is also listed as questionable, despite not practicing at all this week as he deals with knee and back issues. Joining Radunz with an out designation is defensive end Chase Young, who like Penning, has not played yet this year.
Here are a few other injury updates from around the NFL:
- Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas has yet to play in 2025 as he works his way back from a Lisfranc injury from 2024. The veteran lineman is listed as questionable this week and has been rumored as likely to play. He may be able to do so without fully coming back. Per Ryan Dunleavy of New York Post Sports, Thomas hasn’t “ruled out that he could play in a rotation as he works his way back” with a focus on longevity. The team will see how he feels today before making a final decision on his status for tomorrow, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, but the idea of using a rotation to ease him in is seemingly gaining popularity.
- The Seahawks sustained injuries over the last week to running back Zach Charbonnet, cornerback Devon Witherspoon, and safety Julian Love. There was worry that each player could be out for an extended period of time, but The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar reports that none of the three are being considered for stints on injured reserve. All three, though, are doubtful to play in Week 3.
- After tight end Isaiah Likely suffered a foot injury in training camp, the Ravens opted not to place him on any injured lists to avoid a guaranteed four-week absence. The 25-year-old returned to practice this week but won’t be active to play on Monday. They’ll likely aim to have him back in time Week 4. Joining Likely as a scratch this week will be defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Madubuike is dealing with a neck injury, and the team is evaluating some symptoms they’ve seen throughout the week to be safe. Sixth-round rookie Aeneas Peebles is likely to get some increased run this week as a result.
- As for the other Monday Night Football team, the Lions will be without pass rusher Marcus Davenport for their trip to Baltimore, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Davenport declined to give any details about the nature of his injury, but his arm has been seen in a sling. Whatever the situation, head coach Dan Campbell does not see the situation as season-ending.
NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Kelly, Pack
Prior to the Bears agreeing to re-sign Travis Homer, they considered a veteran with ties to Ryan Poles and new running backs coach Eric Bieniemy. Chicago considered Kareem Hunt in free agency, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. Poles and Bieniemy were with the Chiefs when they drafted Hunt in the 2017 third round, with the current Bears GM serving as Kansas City’s college scouting director at that point. Hunt won a rushing title as a rookie and was off to a better start in 2018, when a video of him kicking a woman led to his initial Kansas City ouster. The Chiefs circled back to Hunt six years later, after an Isiah Pacheco injury, and have since re-signed him. The Bears still have Homer and Roschon Johnson behind starter D’Andre Swift, who joins Jonah Jackson in reuniting with Ben Johnson.
Here is the latest from the NFC North:
- On the subject of Jackson, he is set to play right guard next season, per the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs. Jackson started four seasons at left guard in Detroit, but he will end up deferring to Joe Thuney, who landed as the All-Pro first team’s left guard in back-to-back seasons. The older of the Bears’ two guard trade pickups is in a contract year, Thuney gave no clues about a potential extension (via ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin). Keeping with the reunion theme, Thuney signed with the Chiefs when Poles was still on Brett Veach‘s staff.
- Losing durable veteran Kevin Zeitler to the Titans, the Lions appear in need at guard. Graham Glasgow remains, but the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett expects the team to add another starter-level option at the position. This could come in free agency or the draft. A few free agency options are available. Brandon Scherff, Dalton Risner, Cody Whitehair, Will Hernandez and Andrus Peat are among the top veteran options. Teven Jenkins is the leader in this clubhouse right now, and it will be interesting to see where the three-year Bears starter lands. Early in free agency, Jenkins had set a high price. Christian Mahogany, a 2024 sixth-round pick, looks to be in position to still compete for the job Zeitler held last season, Birkett adds.
- The Vikings paid a high price for Will Fries but landed ex-Colts center Ryan Kelly on a mid-market deal. Kelly agreed to a two-year, $18MM contract that comes with $9.15MM guaranteed. No part of Kelly’s $7.89MM 2026 base salary is guaranteed, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes, giving Minnesota some flexibility on the soon-to-be 32-year-old center. The Vikings would carry no dead money if they cut Kelly next year. Elsewhere on Minnesota’s cap sheet, DB Tavierre Thomas‘ deal comes in at one year and $2MM, Wilson adds. The former Browns, Texans and Buccaneers defender commanded a $1MM guarantee.
- Marcus Davenport‘s second shot at becoming a regular Lions contributor will include a pay cut. Reported as signing a deal worth up to $4.75MM, Davenport will be tied to $2.5MM in base value, via OverTheCap. Of that total, $1.65MM is guaranteed. The Lions are guaranteeing Davenport’s $1.35MM base salary, per Wilson, which would leave them with a near-$2MM dead money hit if they moved on. Davenport has missed 28 games over the past two seasons. Roy Lopez‘s “up to” report checked in at $4.75MM; the actual value of the Lions DT’s contract (via Wilson): $3.5MM.
- The Lions also brought in former Bills tight end Quintin Morris on a free agency visit this week, FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz notes. Buffalo did not tender Morris as an RFA, passing on a $3.26MM price to retain its primary blocking tight end. The Lions matched a 49ers RFA offer sheet for Brock Wright last year; two years remain on Wright’s deal. Morris, 26, played 214 offensive snaps for the Bills last season.
- Isaiah McDuffie‘s two-year, $8MM Packers pact does not bring any 2026 guarantees, though ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky indicates it carries a $750K roster bonus next year. Guaranteeing the 2024 linebacker starter $2.25MM, the Packers can move on for barely $1MM in dead money after the 2025 season.
Lions Re-Sign DE Marcus Davenport
Former first-round pick Marcus Davenport has bounced around in the last couple years since his contract with the Saints expired, but it looks like he’ll remain in Detroit for a second season in 2025. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Lions have re-signed Davenport to a one-year deal worth up to $4.75MM. 
Unfortunately, this new contract doesn’t come from the team recognizing and rewarding a strong performance but instead comes from a second chance to make a first impression in Detroit. Davenport signed initially with the Lions last year after a disappointing prove-it year in Minnesota. Unfortunately, a season-ending elbow injury sidelined the 28-year-old after only the third week of the season.
The UTSA product has had issues with health throughout his career, never playing a full season. Since getting drafted, Davenport has only appeared in 69 of a possible 116 games. He’s flashed at times, totaling 10.5 sacks over his first two seasons with the Saints and tallying a career-high nine sacks in 2021 after having his fifth-year option exercised. That fifth year in New Orleans only produced half a sack in nine starts, though, leading to his one-year tryout with the Vikings, in which he only appeared in four games.
The Lions, unfortunately, don’t have the luxury of passing up on potential due to injury history. Last year saw the team’s Super Bowl hopes fall apart along with their defensive line as star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson only made five starts due to a season-ending leg injury. Several other injuries across the defense forced Detroit to make a number of signings and trades to accommodate.
In the aftermath of last season, bring back Davenport makes a lot of sense. The team can’t really pass up on the potential Davenport offers to the defense, and they knew Davenport wanted to come back. He would’ve had all season to rehab with the team’s doctors, so they should have a very good understanding of where he’s at in his recovery process and health journey. Davenport will hope to reward their faith with the comeback season that has eluded him these last few years.