6 Lions Who Won't Return in 2025 With Season Officially Over

3. Marcus Davenport, DE

Last offseason, Detroit signed defensive end Marcus Davenport to a contract with a base salary of $6.5 million. Davenport was brought in to provide some much-needed pass rush opposite Aidan Hutchinson.

That said, Davenport's addition to the Lions came with clear injury risks. In his six prior NFL seasons,
Davenport missed time due to injury each year, including one season-ending ailement. Even so, when Davenport sees the field, he produces, which is why Detroit took the chance.

Unfortunately, 2024 ended up being another season Davenport sustained a season-ending injury. In Detroit's Week 3 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, Davenport went down with a torn triceps, which landed him on injured reserve.

Davenport's injury occurred during his second active game with the Lions. In two games,
Davenport recorded one sack, three quarterback hits, and three quarterback hurries, according to PFF.

Although those stats don't point to major production in two games, having him out on the field meant teams couldn't solely focus on Hutchinson. Therefore, Hutchinson and the rest of the defensive line were more productive.

Despite that, the likelihood of Davenport returning to Detroit in 2025 remains slim. Za'darius Smith has made it known he'd like to stick around, and there's a high chance the Lions take a young pass rusher in the draft, who'll likely arrive without the health concerns Davenport has.