The Detroit Lions selected Ahmed Hassanein in the sixth round of last year’s draft, but the Boise State product found out things move quickly in the NFL. After being waived with an injury settlement last summer and returning in November to spend the remainder of the year on the Lions’ practice squad, Hassanein may have received another jolt when Detroit loaded up on edge rushers over the offseason, potentially putting his roster spot in jeopardy.
The influx of pass-rushers made it seem like Hassanein would be battling to extend his time in Detroit this summer. But the 23-year-old received some good news when the NFL informed the Lions he would continue to be part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program according to Mike Payton of A to Z Sports.
The IPP program, which provides elite athletes from outside the U.S. and Canada a chance to earn a spot on NFL rosters, allows teams to carry an international player on their roster without having to burn a spot during the offseason and also gives a team the option to carry a 17th player on their practice squad during the season. It also may buy Hassanein more time as he looks to refine his game and become a regular in Detroit.
Ahmed Hassanein’s Roster Hopes Rise Thanks to IPP Status
Hassanein was born in Anaheim, California, but moved to Egypt at age six. He returned to the United States in 2018 and played three years of high school football. But Payton explained that because the NFL deems the 2020 season during the COVID-19 pandemic as a lost year, he still qualifies as an IPP player.
If Hassanein was not allowed to be part of the IPP program, his outlook would have looked bleak for the upcoming season.
The Lions lost Al-Quadin Muhammad to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and let Marcus Davenport walk out the door in free agency. But Detroit added DJ Wonnum to aid their run defense and took a flier on former first-round pick Payton Turner to add to their depth across from Aidan Hutchinson.
The additions continued during last month’s draft as the Lions used a second-round pick on Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore and they doubled down on the final day by selecting Tennessee’s Tyre West in the sixth round.
All of the additions may have made Hassanein feel like the walls were closing in. But by not counting against a roster spot, he can continue his attempt to fulfill the potential he showed during his collegiate career.
Hassanein broke out with 12.5 sacks during the 2023 season and racked up 9.5 sacks during the 2024 season at Boise State. While he had great production, his evaluation as a raw prospect had him fall to the final day of the draft before essentially going through a “redshirt” year on Detroit’s practice squad.
There’s a chance that 2026 could follow a similar blueprint thanks to Detroit’s additions, but at least Hassanein could have a chance to crack the active roster even if the Lions make some additions during the offseason program.
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