Mon Nov 11 01:20:00 UTC 2024: ## Lions’ New Pass Rusher Za’Darius Smith Gets Rest Before Debut

**HOUSTON** – Detroit Lions fans eager to see newly acquired pass rusher Za’Darius Smith in action will have to wait at least another week.

Smith, who was traded from the Cleveland Browns to Detroit last Tuesday, was granted a couple of days off by head coach Dan Campbell earlier this week to deal with hurricane damage to his Florida property. While he did join practice on Friday, he’ll sit out the game against the Houston Texans to ensure he’s fresh and ready for the final two months of the season.

“I think each case is kind of unique,” Campbell said on Friday. “His is unique in the fact, number one, he’s a veteran player, he’s got a lot of miles on the body, and he can still do it. But it’s also important for him to be able to get a little bit of a breather. He just got traded, it’s a whirlwind. All of a sudden, he was getting ready for the team photo, going into the bye, then he drives up here to Detroit and oh by the way, there was a hurricane that hit down south where his house is. There’s just these things that create stress that you can alleviate. It’s more important than forcing the issue right now, I would rather him be of sound body and mind for the rest of the season.”

Meanwhile, the Lions will welcome back edge rusher Josh Paschal tonight. He missed the last two games after doctors removed a non-cancerous mass from his shoulder.

The Lions will be without starting left tackle Taylor Decker tonight, however, after he injured his shoulder in Thursday’s practice. It’s unclear if right tackle Penei Sewell will shift to the left side, or if swing tackle Dan Skipper will fill the void.

Also inactive for the Lions tonight are linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, safety Loren Strickland, and offensive linemen Colby Sorsdal, Christian Mahogany, and Giovanni Manu.

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