There was no Sauce Gardner equivalent available on the offensive line, so the Detroit Lions stood pat.
The Lions did not make a deal at the NFL trade deadline Tuesday, Nov. 4, for the first time since 2021, deciding to stick with their current roster while awaiting the return of several key defensive players, for a playoff run.
The Lions are 5-3 at the midpoint of the season, in second place in the NFC North and in control of the NFC’s final wild-card spot.
They have a host of injury concerns on their offensive line – left guard Christian Mahogany is out with a broken bone in his leg, and the availability of tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell is uncertain for this week’s game against the Washington Commanders – and depth issues at cornerback, safety and defensive end.
But Mahogany could return in late December and the Lions expect to get three starters back on defense in the coming weeks.
Safety Kerby Joseph has missed two games with a bone bruise in his knee. Cornerback D.J. Reed is on injured reserve with a strained hamstring but has begun working out with trainers. And defensive end Marcus Davenport is closing in on a return to practice from a strained pectoral muscle.
The Lions also are expected to get backups defensive end Josh Paschal, linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez and cornerback Khalil Dorsey back before the end of the season. Rodriguez, on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from the torn ACL he suffered last year, already has resumed practicing.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday adding those six players – Joseph is the only one currently on the active roster – is similar to making a trade at the deadline.
“Well, I mentioned this before,” Campbell said. “We’re going to start getting some good players back. Some really good impact players for us. …
“So we got some guys that are going to start coming back and that does give you a boost. I mean, that helps you. It only makes your team better, makes your roster better.”
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner looks on before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium, Sept. 21, 2025.
Campbell acknowledged in his weekly radio interview Tuesday morning on WXYT-FM (97.1) that the Lions were looking for help on the offensive line but he said the price had to be right to consider a move.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes has been active at recent trade deadlines, adding depth to his roster in 2023-24 and dealing away tight end T.J. Hockenson for a swap of draft picks in 2022.
In 2023, the Lions added backup Donovan Peoples-Jones to a struggling wide receiver room – Jameson Williams had six catches in four games at the time after serving a suspension to start the year – for a sixth-round pick.
In 2024, the Lions traded two Day 3 picks for Za’Darius Smith and another late-round choice, helping a pass rush that had been decimated by injuries. Davenport, Aidan Hutchinson, linebacker Derrick Barnes and defensive tackle Kyle Peko all suffered season-ending injuries before the deadline last year.
The Lions aren’t in as dire a spot on their offensive line now, but the unit has been inconsistent through eight games, and Decker also is dealing with a shoulder injury that has nagged him all year.
With no moves Tuesday, the Lions likely will patch their offensive line from within. Kayode Awosika finished last week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings at left guard, and Campbell said backups Trystan Colon and Kingsley Eguakun also will get a look in practice this week as the Lions try and decide how to best use their personnel up front. Center Graham Glasgow can play guard if the Lions prefer to have Colon or Eguakun handle snaps.
No NFC contenders made big moves at Tuesday’s deadline, though two of the conference’s top teams, the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers, made notable trades earlier this year. The Packers acquired star defensive end Micah Parsons before the season from the Dallas Cowboys, while the Eagles picked up pass rusher Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins on Monday – their fourth in-season trade this year.
The Cowboys, 3-5-1 and in second place in the NFC East, made one of Tuesday’s biggest deals, acquiring star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round choice and former Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
The Jets also dealt star cornerback and Detroit native Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for two first-round choices. Two NFC contenders made more minor moves with the Chicago Bears adding defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka from the Cleveland Browns, and the Seattle Seahawks adding receiver Rashid Shaheed from the New Orleans Saints.
The Lions did make two roster moves Tuesday, releasing offensive lineman Justin Herron from injured reserve and releasing tight end Kenny Yeboah from IR with an injury settlement.
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