The Detroit Lions have been hit hard by a defensive line injury and have lost some depth this week due to practice squad poaching, but one insider feels they may have an unexpected opportunity to acquire some of that depth back.
According to SI.com’s John Maakaron, the Tennessee Titans are scheduled to release defensive tackle Teair Tart this week. The Titans had signed the 26-year-old as an undrafted free agent in 2020, but he had a falling out with the team.
“The talented defensive lineman has reportedly been unhappy about his contract situation,” Maakaron said in a statement. “The Titans have been likely unwilling to commit a long-term contract extension, due to being unsatisfied with his attitude recently and his effort level.”
Maakaron stated that Tart may be a sensible target to add depth after the Lions lost defensive lineman Alim McNeill to injury.
‘Motivated’ DT Could Aid Detroit’s Playoff Chances Push
Maakaron mentioned that the Lions have been rotating players to fill the vacuum left by McNeill’s injury. They utilized the maximum of three practice squad elevations on talented Quinton Bohanna and had the opportunity to sign him to the active roster to play the rest of the season, but they returned him to the practice squad and the Titans signed him to their regular roster.
Tart, who is in the final year of his contract and searching for a new deal, may be a natural acquisition for the Lions, according to him.
“A motivated player that is seeking to perform at a high level, in order to secure their next contract, could aid the Lions in the postseason against powerhouse NFC teams like the Cowboys, the Eagles and the 49ers, which feature solid rushing attacks,” Maakaron said in a statement.
Tart has started nine of the Titans’ 11 games this season and had 21 total tackles, including one sack. In 2022, he had a career-best season, starting 16 games and totaling 34 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
The Lions are hoping to rebound on defense.
The Lions are hoping to improve their defense after suffering in last week’s 28-13 loss to the Chicago Bears. Edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson stated this week that he is “hellbent” on improving after making some important blunders, including an offsides call on fourth down and an ill-timed stunt that allowed quarterback Justin Fields to scramble to the outside and score for an 11-yard touchdown on third and goal.
“We’re going to get back, we’re hellbent on it,” Hutchinson remarked, as reported by SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit. “We’re going to win football again; that’s been our main goal since Monday, Sunday night.” I believe everyone in this locker room and throughout the building is eager to get back to work.”
Hutchinson went on to say that the Lions’ problems against the Bears were primarily due to “stupid” blunders, which he believes they can solve.
“The things that went wrong weren’t necessarily—it wasn’t technique—it was just some temporary lapses in judgment, I guess,” Hutchinson went on to say. “I’m not changing anything about myself as a football player.” It was simply one of those ridiculous things that happened, and you go on.”
