The Detroit Lions are adding some intriguing potential to their practice squad, signing a big edge rusher who earned buzz in college — though is still to show it in the NFL.
The Lions announced that they signed former Army edge rusher Andre Carter II to their practice squad. This is Carter’s third year in the NFL after going undrafted in 2023, and the signing could give him a big opportunity for a team lacking depth in the pass-rushing group.
Andre Carter II Showed His Potential in College
As Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News noted, Carter gained national attention during his final season in college as he finished second in the nation in total sacks.
“Carter (6-foot-6, 256 pounds) became a national sensation during his final year with Army,” Bianchi wrote. “He amassed 15 1/2 sacks during the 2022 season and finished second to only Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr., who was drafted third overall by the Houston Texans the following spring.”
Carter signed with the Minnesota Vikings after coming out of college in 2023, appearing in 12 games and making two total tackles while playing mostly on special teams. Carter signed with the Las Vegas Raiders last season, appearing in three games and making 0.5 sacks.
As Bianchi noted, the Lions are likely hoping that Carter will grow into the potential he showed at Army.
“Time will tell how much upside is in this signing, but if nothing else, the traits that come with playing college football at Army are probably something the Lions found extremely attractive,” Bianchi wrote.
Lions Could Use More Help Off the Edge
The Lions struggled to establish a consistent pass rush last season after Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending broken leg, then did little to boost the position in the offseason. Lions general manager Brad Holmes said the team had been in contact with Za’Darius Smith, the veteran edge rusher who joined the Lions at last season’s trade deadline before being released in March, but have not made any movement on a new contract.
Holmes told reporters this week that he had not been in contact with Smith recently. He did suggest the team would make another addition to its group of edge rushers.
âYou guys know me, anything is a possibility,â Holmes said, via Detroit Football Network. âAt any point, I don’t know what’s going to happen. We just have one open roster spot. It’s not for a specific player. It’s for the player that makes the most sense for us, whoever that player may be. We went into last year, I think, with 52. It just gives some flexibility. It’s not just about that player.â
Though Holmes may have downplayed the idea that the Lions will sign Smith, some analysts believe it is a foregone conclusion. The team had just three edge rushers after Tuesday’s deadline for the 53-man roster, which could pave the way for Smith’s return.
âThe right situation is here. Detroit,â noted reporter Kory Woods. âI will say this much. We speak with Brad (Holmes) later this week. I would be shocked if ZaâDarius Smith is not in a Lions uniform by Friday.â
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