ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions are adding to their pass rush after all, signing former Seahawks edge rusher Bruce Irvin according to NFL Network. Irvin is initially being added to the practice squad according to the report, but there is also an open roster spot for him after guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai was moved to injured reserve.
Irvin, 36, is a former first-round pick who has racked up 55.5 sacks in 103 games. He’s best known for his Seahawks years, and returned to Seattle for another stint last season, producing 24 pressures, 3.5 sacks, five tackles for loss and nine quarterback hits in 11 games, including 10 starts.
He’s clearly not the same guy who was taken so highly in the 2012 draft, but he should provide some juice to a pass rush that has really struggled to generate pressure beyond Aidan Hutchinson. Julian Okwara, Charles Harris, John Cominsky, Josh Pachal and Romeo Okwara have combined for just 4.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits this season.
Detroit has been held to one sack or none at all in six of its nine games this season, including in the 41-38 win against the Los Angeles Chargers over the weekend. Justin Herbert was not sacked in that game, and led five straight touchdown drives down the stretch, helping L.A. battle back from a 14-point deficit. The Lions ultimately pulled out the win anyway thanks three go-ahead drives by Jared Goff late, and a buzzer-beating field goal by Riley Patterson.
But two days later, they’ve decided to finally add to the pass rush after declining to add a piece at the trade deadline.