The Detroit Lions delivered tough news ahead of their Monday night clash against the Baltimore Ravens. Edge rusher Marcus Davenport has been placed on injured reserve with a chest injury. Davenport, spotted in a sling during practice this week, will miss at least four games due to the NFL’s injured reserve rules. The timing of the announcement, pre-game, ensures this week’s matchup will count toward his mandatory absence.
This injury further depletes an already thin Lions edge rusher group, leaving superstar Aidan Hutchinson, second-year player Al-Quadin Muhammad, and recent addition Tyrus Wheat. General Manager Brad Holmes has been reluctant to add another edge rusher, but with only three healthy options, the pressure is mounting to make a move before the trade deadline. Here are three potential trade targets to bolster Detroit’s pass rush:
Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
Lions fans have been clamoring for Hendrickson all offseason, and the buzz persists. The Bengals’ star edge rusher, in the final year of his contract, held out of training camp seeking a new deal. Cincinnati renegotiated, making him the seventh-highest-paid edge rusher, but his future remains uncertain with quarterback Joe Burrow sidelined for the season due to injury. The Bengals’ playoff hopes are fading, potentially making Hendrickson, 30, a trade candidate. Hendrickson’s production is undeniable: 70.5 sacks from 2020-24, second only to Myles Garrett, including back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons and two sacks in 2025. Detroit’s ample cap space — second-most in the NFL this season — and draft capital, including a 2026 second-round pick and all 2027 picks, could make a deal possible despite trading away their 2026 third-rounder for wide receiver Isaac Teslaa.
Trade value: Mid-to-late first-round pick or a second-rounder plus additional assets.
Why it works: Hendrickson’s proven dominance would pair perfectly with Hutchinson, signaling Holmes’ aggressive intent to contend.
Carl Granderson, New Orleans Saints
Granderson, 28, offers a cost-effective alternative. With 3.5 sacks in three games this season, he’s been a standout on a Saints defense that’s struggled to an 0-3 start. Over the past two seasons, Granderson has recorded 14 sacks, proving he’s a reliable quarterback disruptor. His durability, missing just four games in five years addresses Detroit’s injury concerns after a 2024 season plagued by setbacks. Granderson is under contract through 2028, but a potential out could save the Lions $12 million in dead cap space, making a trade plausible if the Saints opt to shake up their roster. While not as prolific as Hendrickson, Granderson’s youth and health make him an attractive, budget-friendly option.
Trade value: Third-round pick or a package of mid-round picks.
Why it works: Granderson’s consistency and lower cost align with Detroit’s need for depth without breaking the bank.
Jaelen Phillips, Miami Dolphins
Phillips, 26, is a high-risk, high-reward option. On his fifth-year option with a $13.2 million cap hit in 2025, he’s yet to secure a long-term extension with Miami. The Dolphins, also 0-3, face a tight cap situation and may consider trading Phillips before he hits free agency in 2026, especially with 2024 first-rounder Chop Robinson waiting in the wings. Phillips has battled injuries, playing just 12 games over the past two seasons due to a torn achilles in 2023 and an ACL tear in 2024. Despite no sacks in 2025, he remains a disruptive force, with 54 quarterback hits in 46 career games, including 22 sacks and 52 quarterback hits from 2021-23. Holmes has a track record of betting on injured players, as seen with Derrick Barnes’ re-signing and Jameson Williams’ draft selection post-ACL tear. Modern medical advancements could aid Phillips’ recovery, making him a bold target.
Trade value: Third-round pick, contingent on health.
Why it works: Phillips’ upside could transform Detroit’s pass rush if he regains his pre-injury form, fitting Holmes’ penchant for second-chance reclamation projects.
Outlook
If Davenport’s absence extends beyond four weeks, Holmes will have little choice but to pursue a trade. With the Lions aiming to compete in a stacked NFC, adding a proven edge rusher like Hendrickson, a reliable veteran like Granderson, or a high-upside talent like Phillips could be the difference-maker. The trade deadline looms, and Detroit’s next move will signal whether they’re all-in for 2025.