Lions Sign Veteran Pass-Rusher to Aid Defensive Line

Lions adding former Bears and Seahawks pass-rusher to roster.

The Detroit Lions' pass-rush has been inconsistent all season. 

Aaron Glenn's defense has pressured the quarterback in spurts. But, after Julian Okwara, John Cominsky, Charles Josh Paschal, and Romeo Okwara have combined for only 4.5 sacks through nine games, the front office decided to sign another veteran pass-rusher. 

According to multiple reports, veteran linebacker and pass-rusher Bruce Irvin, who has had stints with the Seahawks, Raiders, Falcons, Panthers and Bears, has been signed by Detroit. 

The Seahawks selected Irvin in the first round (15th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.

He was the highest-selected West Virginia Mountaineers player since Adam Jones in 2005.

Irvin was also the first defensive end and fourth defensive lineman selected in that year's draft class. 

In his career, Irvin has recorded 55.5 sacks, and was part of the Seahawks team that defeated the Broncos, 43-8, in Super Bowl XLVIII. 

In March of 2016, the Oakland Raiders signed Irvin to a four-year, $37 million contract that included $19 million in guaranteed monies, reuniting him with Ken Norton Jr. Norton, who had become the Raiders' defensive coordinator, after serving as the Seahawks' linebackers coach from 2010-2014.

The 36-year-old re-signed with the Seahawks' practice squad in October of 2022. 

During his third stint with the organization, he appeared in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Chargers, and was eventually signed to the active roster on November 4, 2022. 

According to NFL media reports, Irvin will start his tenure in Motown on the practice squad.

Earlier Tuesday, Dan Campbell offered a gloomy prediction on when James Houston could return. He indicated that Houston may not return to the team until late December.