Detroit Jock City
Fansided

Lions Bolster Defense with Key Free Agent Signing

By Vinnie Portell

Oct 13, 2019; London, United Kingdom; Carolina Panthers linebacker Bruce Irvin (55) celebrates with defensive back Tre Boston (33) after a fumble recovery against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 37-26. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2019; London, United Kingdom; Carolina Panthers linebacker Bruce Irvin (55) celebrates with defensive back Tre Boston (33) after a fumble recovery against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 37-26. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

After allowing 38 points in two of its past three games, Detroit made a move to improve its defense Tuesday evening – adding former first-round pick Bruce Irvin to its practice squad.

The Lions are just 21st in the NFL in sacks per game, with little production on the opposite side of Aidan Hutchinson.

Irvin might not be the perfect answer to Detroit’s defensive woes, but he could make a surprisingly big impact with the Lions.

Let’s break down what to expect from this signing, and what it signals the front office is thinking (and learn how to take the sweat out of betting on your Lions at Caesars).

Lions Sign Bruce Irvin

Irvin, 36, was drafted by Seattle with the No. 15 overall overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft out of West Virginia as an outside linebacker with a penchant for pass rushing.

He’s played for the Seahawks, Raiders, Falcons, Panthers and Bears, playing 138 games over 11 seasons (has not played this season).

The sacks have come in nearly every season, with 55.5 career sacks and a career-high of 8.5 with Carolina in 2019. He proved he had some juice left in the tank last season, too, with 28 total tackles and 3.5 sacks in 11 games (10 starts) with Seattle.

At the worst, Irvin is a quality depth piece for a Detroit defense in desperate need of one.

The Lions did not sack Justin Herbert or Lamar Jackson ONCE. It’s probably no coincidence that the defense also happened to surrender 38 points in each of those games.

We probably shouldn’t expect too much of Irvin at this stage of his career, but this move shows that the front office is willing to explore its options as it prepares for the postseason.

If signing Irvin makes you feel good about the Lions moving forward, you can make that even better by betting on them with NO SWEAT at Caesars Sportsbook. Simply sign up, use the promo code FSFANS1000 and deposit $10 or more. Your first bet will be backed by the house for up to $1,000! Sign up for Caesars today!

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Home/Detroit Lions