Al-Quadin Muhammad to make Detroit Lions debut in search for pass rush help
Down their top four edge rushers, the Detroit Lions are giving another veteran a look before next month's trade deadline.
The Lions elevated outside linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans.
Lions coach Dan Campbell, who was an assistant with the New Orleans Saints in 2017 when Muhammad played for the team, indicated during the week the move was coming.
"You don’t have to worry about that guy playing the game with some nastiness and aggressiveness, strength," Campbell said. "He’s going to set an edge and he’s going to play hard. He’s competitive. He’s a finisher. And he’s got a little bit of rush ability. He’s more of a kind of push-the-pocket power and then plays off of that, but it’s more about him coming in to do some of the dirty work and just bring your hard hat, bring your lunch pail-type guy. And he’s going to give us a good day’s work is really what we’re anticipating, really all we need out of him."
LOOK AHEAD: Detroit Lions vs. Tennessee Titans: Dave Birkett's scouting report, prediction
Muhammad has 12 sacks in 84 career games. He last appeared in a regular season game with the Chicago Bears in 2022.
The Lions are shorthanded on the defensive line after losing Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes to potential season-ending injuries. Josh Paschal, who played last week as the Lions' top defensive end, also is out this week for medical reasons.
Paschal said he expects to be back for next week's game against the Green Bay Packers, and the Lions are expected to be active in the trade market in the coming days looking for a defensive end ahead of the league's Nov. 5 trade deadline.
The Lions also elevated tight end Shane Zylstra from the practice squad for the second straight week.
The Lions are 11-point favorites against the Titans, the most points they've been favored by since they closed as 12-point favorites in a 1996 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to the Action Network.
Dave Birkett will sign copies of his new book, "Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline" from noon-2 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Troy Sports Card Show. Order your copy here. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions elevate pass rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad vs Titans