The Detroit Lions have made a bold move to bolster their defensive depth, adding a towering pass rusher to the practice squad as Week 1 preparation continues. It’s a signing that has fans buzzing in Detroit.

After a difficult 2024 campaign where the team’s pass rush fell apart following Aidan Hutchinson’s injury, Detroit’s front office has emphasized finding fresh talent. Depth on the edge has been one of the offseason’s biggest storylines.

While much of the talk centered on a potential reunion with veteran Za’Darius Smith, the Lions quietly executed a different move. It may not grab immediate headlines, but the potential upside is enormous.

That upside comes in the form of Andre Carter II, a 6-foot-6 Detroit native who once became a college football sensation by recording 15.5 sacks in 2022, finishing just behind Will Anderson Jr. in the national rankings.

Carter’s professional journey has been bumpy. Waived by the Vikings only an hour earlier, he has already found a new home. Previously, he logged 12 games in Minnesota and 3 more with Las Vegas.

Still, the Lions see the physical tools that made Carter a national standout at Army. His combination of length, size, and motor makes him a developmental project with the chance to carve out meaningful reps in Detroit.

General manager Brad Holmes downplayed speculation about a Smith reunion but admitted flexibility remains. “We just want the player that makes the most sense for us,” Holmes told reporters, leaving the door open for multiple additions.

For now, Detroit has invested in a raw but intriguing prospect. Carter’s arrival may not solve everything, but in a defense desperate for pass-rush depth, he represents both a gamble and a glimmer of hope.