The Detroit Lions are wrapping up their preseason schedule at Ford Field on Saturday. As it's always the case in the preseason, the scoreline is far less important than individual performances. Since this is the last opportunity for head coach Dan Campbell and the coaching staff to evaluate certain key positions and players on the bubble before Tuesday's roster cutdown date, the fourth preseason game of the summer for Detroit was especially significant.
During the first half of the matchup against the Houston Texans, there were glaring issues for Detroit, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Fortunately, these came during the preseason when the Lions have a way to improve before the start of the regular season. Yet, the team doesn't have much time before addressing the very obvious need.
The Lions DL is struggling. Can't get any pass rush and can't stop the run
— DLFP (@DLFPtweets) August 23, 2025
Lions' Defensive Woes Make Za'Darius Smith Move Inevitable
Detroit's inability to stop the run or put pressure on the quarterback ailed the Lions against the Texans. It became the most popular talking point online as the Texans built a 16-7 halftime lead.
For any Lions fan who has been paying attention this offseason, the lack of depth and quality on the defensive line wouldn't come as a surprise. The team refused to make additions to the pass rush rotation other than selecting Ahmed Hassanein late in the draft. Now that the rookie will be out for an extended period of time due to a pectoral injury, however, we are back to square one.
Things got so bad on Saturday that Lions reporter Justin Rogers said he is going to "slide Za'Darius Smith onto [his] final roster projection."
At this rate, imma slide Za'Darius Smith onto my final roster projection. Even if I'm wrong, I'm not wrong.
— Justin Rogers | Detroit Football Network (@Justin_Rogers) August 23, 2025
This is highly reflective of how Lions fans have been feeling all offseason and during the game on Saturday. Za'Darius Smith has remained unsigned since being let go by the Lions earlier in the offseason. Even though the veteran defensive end has made it clear that he would love to return to Detroit, the sides haven't agreed so far.
However, the time is running out for GM Brad Holmes. The Lions go on the road to play the Packers in two weeks, and every day that passes without Smith on the roster means less time to adapt for the veteran and the new defensive coordinator, Kelvin Sheppard.
The roster cutdown deadline is Tuesday, Aug. 26. Whether the Lions sign Smith or have another surprise addition between now and then will be fascinating to watch.