Sources – Lions sign Za’Darius Smith before NFL trade deadline

The Detroit Lions have added a pass rusher ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, acquiring veteran defensive end Za’Darius Smith in a deal with the Cleveland Browns, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The first-place Lions, looking for defensive depth since Aidan Hutchinson’s leg injury last month, also received a 2026 seventh-round draft pick from the Browns, who acquired a 2025 fifth-rounder and a 2026 sixth-rounder in the trade, said Sources Schefter.

Smith, 32, has five sacks in nine games this season, his second with the Browns. The three-time Pro Bowler has 65 sacks in his career over parts of 10 seasons with the Browns, Vikings, Packers and Ravens.

The Lions (7-1) have a 30.6% pass rush win rate in their three games since Hutchinson’s injury, ranking 26th in the NFL during that span.

Hutchinson suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in his left leg and underwent surgery after Detroit’s victory over the Cowboys on October 13. The Lions have not ruled out a return for the Pro Bowl pass rusher, who previously recorded 7.5 sacks in five games following his injury.

The Lions have won a total of six straight games – including the last three without Hutchinson – but have recorded just one sack total in their last two games, including no sack in Sunday’s decisive win over the NFC North rival Packers.

ESPN’s Eric Woodyard contributed to this report.