Injuries have plagued the Detroit Lions throughout the 2024 campaign. Throughout the season, a number of important players have been sidelined by injury, including several defensive starters. Detroit lost to the Buffalo Bills 48–42 on Sunday, losing four players to serious injuries. The Lions will need to find competent replacements for players like cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Khalil Dorsey, defensive lineman Alim McNeill, and running back David Montgomery with three games left in the regular season.
Finding players who can make a significant contribution to the Lions’ playoffs success will also be crucial, given the team has already secured a postseason berth. For the latter part of the 2024 season, the Lions might want to sign these four players.
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Edwards-Helaire became a free agent on Tuesday after clearing waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday. Due to her post-traumatic stress disorder, Edwards-Helaire has not participated in any games this season and has been placed on the non-football injured list. After being waived, Edwards-Helaire sent an emotional thank you to Chiefs supporters, but he left it open as to whether he will still play in the NFL.
The 2020 season saw the LSU product record 803 running yards, four touchdowns, and 36 receptions for 297 yards. Since then, his output has decreased, partly as a result of Isiah Pacheco’s rise to prominence. The Lions may add a low-risk player with demonstrated skill to the running back room before the postseason by signing him.
DT Quinton Bohanna
Bohanna had a big stint in Detroit last season, and he might be able to make an immediate impact because he is familiar with coordinator Aaron Glenn’s plan. The Lions would need to add him to the active roster because he is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad. Isaiah Thomas, Jonah Williams, Kwon Alexander, and Myles Adams—who was also on the practice squad in Seattle when Detroit signed him—are among the players the Lions have selected from opposing practice squads.
Bohanna was added to the Tennessee Titans’ active roster after playing three games for the Lions as a practice squad member the previous season. He can play a variety of positions in the defensive interior and has four seasons of experience.
RB Latavius Murray
Murray, a seasoned player with ten seasons of experience, is another backfield possibility. Although he hasn’t worn a uniform this season, he carried for 300 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games with the Buffalo Bills last season. Since Murray played for New Orleans for two seasons (2019–20) while Campbell was the tight ends coach and assistant head coach, Campbell is familiar with the player.
Murray, who has 6,552 career running yards, may be a perfect power-back complement to Gibbs and Reynolds. His ability to swiftly contribute to Detroit’s offence may benefit from his familiarity with Campbell’s style.
CB Patrick Peterson
Peterson is nearing the end of his career and has been selected to the First Team All-Pro three times and the Pro Bowl eight times. Nevertheless, at 34, he could still have more left in him after playing all 17 games for the Steelers the previous season. With so many young players in the cornerback room, Peterson would be the perfect veteran addition. He could advise newcomers Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw in addition to offering a defence some depth without its best cornerback.
Since Peterson has never won a Super Bowl, the Lions’ playoff hopes may also appeal to him, and he might be inspired to try his hand at it with the team.