The Detroit Lions are reportedly expected to make a strong push to add a quality pass-rusher via trade after superstar defensive end Aidan Hutchinson suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in Sunday's 47-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano said Wednesday that he expects the Lions to "be aggressive" in their pursuit of a Hutchinson replacement, and he named disgruntled New York Jets pass-rusher Haason Reddick as a potential target.
However, Graziano noted the "most likely outcome" is the Lions will continue to sign guys off of practice squads in an effort to find fits. Detroit signed Isaiah Thomas off the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad on Tuesday as part of that effort.
The Lions have yet to officially place a timetable on Hutchinson's return, but ESPN's Adam Schefter (h/t ESPN's Eric Woodyard) reported this week that he is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Hutchinson had 9.5 sacks as a rookie and 11.5 sacks last season en route to his first Pro Bowl selection. Through five games this season, Hutchinson was trending toward the best year of his career by far.
The 24-year-old pass-rusher leads the NFL with 7.5 sacks, serving as the primary defensive catalyst for a Lions team that is among the best in the league with a 4-1 record.
Losing Hutchinson is among the worst-case scenarios for Detroit since no other player on the team has more than 2.5 sacks and no other edge rusher has even one sack.
In addition to Hutchinson, the Lions likely lost their other starting edge rusher, Marcus Davenport, for the season due to a torn triceps.
Graziano noted that the Lions have plenty of salary cap space, which would allow them to bring in a pass-rusher with a sizable contract, although they do not have a 2025 third-round pick, which could make trade negotiations a challenge.
Reddick seems to be the most readily available impact pass-rusher on the trade market, as Jets owner Woody Johnson said Tuesday that Reddick has been granted permission to seek a trade, per ESPN's Rich Cimini.
While Reddick has been a holdout ever since the Jets acquired him in an offseason trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, Reddick's new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Tuesday that his preference is for Reddick to work out a new contract with the Jets.
However, Graziano said he spoke to sources who wondered if a Reddick trade is more likely after the Jets took on significant salary in acquiring wide receiver Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday.
Aside from Reddick, Graziano named Azeez Ojulari of the New York Giants, Jadeveon Clowney of the Carolina Panthers, Josh Uche of the New England Patriots, Trevis Gipson of the Seattle Seahawks, Ogbo Okoronkwo of the Cleveland Browns and Chase Young of the New Orleans Saints as potentially realistic trade options for Detroit.
Failing a notable deal, the Lions can continue to search for pass-rushing help through other channels, including exploring the free-agent market and other teams' practice squads.
Their first dart throw comes in the form of Thomas, who appeared in 10 games as a rookie for the Browns in 2020 and recorded one sack.
Detroit's first taste of life without Hutchinson will come Sunday when it goes on the road to face the undefeated and NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings.
