The Detroit Lions are just three weeks into the season, but face a too-familiar problem — an injury that cut into their already shallow pass-rushing depth.
It was star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson who went down last season, and this year it’s fellow starter Marcus Davenport who has already headed to injured reserve. With the Lions expected to face a tight race in their division and hopes of repeating their No. 1 overall finish in the conference, one insider believes they could take a big swing at the trade deadline to boost the pass rush.
Bengals Could Seize Opportunity
As Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox noted in a weekly rundown of potential trade candidates, the Cincinnati Bengals could be poised to benefit from an early spate of injuries to pass rushers. Aside from Davenport, the San Francisco 49ers also lost Nick Bost to a season-ending ACL tear.
That could open the market for star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, Knox wrote.
“The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported in August that the Bengals wanted a 2026 first-round pick and a young defensive player in return for Hendrickson,” Knox wrote. “While they’re not going to drop their price to bargain levels just because Joe Burrow is out for the next three months, they could be more open to counteroffers.”
Knox noted that with Burrow out for the long term, the Bengals may need to face the reality that they won’t be a contender with Jake Browning under center. That makes Hendrickson a likely trade target and one of the best available edge rushers, Knox wrote.
Knox suggested the Lions could show interest in other pass rushers, including Jaelan Phillips of the Miami Dolphins. Knox noted that Phillips could have more long-term value — which could also make him more expensive.
“While Hendrickson would likely be a one-year rental, Phillips has long-term potential. At only 26 years old, any team that acquires him should be interested in extending him if he can return to pre-injury form,” Knox wrote. “Phillips is scheduled to be a free agent in 2026, which is why the Dolphins could consider moving him at the deadline.”
Lions Must Replace Marcus Davenport’s Production
The Lions were able to win their first game after putting Davenport on injured reserve and showed little effect in the pass rush. The team hounded Baltimore Ravens quarterback all game, sacking him seven times en route to a 38-31 win.
The Lions will likely count on Al-Quadin Muhammad to take on a bigger role alongside Hutchinson. Lions head coach Dan Campbell seemed to temper any thoughts of hitting the trade market right away, saying before Davenport went on IR that there is a chance he could return this season.
âYeah, I donât see Davenport playing [against the Ravens]. Weâre still trying to decide what to do. Weâve gotten some other tests back,â Campbell said. âWe do not feel this is season-ending, but donât see him playing this week.â
Campbell added that the team was confident calling on their depth rather than bringing in a new player.
âYes, we do. I feel good about the depth,â Campbell said.
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