The Detroit Lions have bolstered their defensive depth by signing edge rusher Andre Carter II to the practice squad, a towering 6-foot-6 pass rusher who once drew national attention at the college level.
Carter is entering his third NFL season after going undrafted in 2023. He initially landed with the Minnesota Vikings, where he appeared in 12 games and registered two tackles, primarily on special teams. Last season, he spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders, making three appearances and notching half a sack. Now, Detroit is offering him another opportunity to showcase his potential.
College Stardom at Army
Carter’s name first gained widespread recognition during his standout career at Army. In 2022, he finished second in the nation in sacks, trailing only Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr., who was later selected third overall by the Houston Texans. Carter’s breakout year featured 15.5 sacks, establishing him as one of the most disruptive defensive players in college football.
Analysts believe that while his NFL production has yet to match his college dominance, Carter’s size, athleticism, and discipline developed at West Point make him an intriguing project for Detroit.
Detroit’s Need for Edge Help
The Lions’ pass rush faltered last season after Aidan Hutchinson went down with a broken leg. Despite that setback, the team made minimal moves to reinforce the position this offseason. General manager Brad Holmes recently acknowledged that while the team has been linked to veteran rusher Za’Darius Smith, no recent discussions have taken place.
Holmes emphasized that Detroit still has roster flexibility:
“Anything’s possible. We’ve got an open spot, but it’s not for a particular player. It’s about finding someone who makes the most sense for us.”
Even so, speculation continues to swirl that Smith could make a return. With the roster currently light on edge defenders—just three after final cuts—many insiders see Detroit as the natural landing spot for the veteran.
Reporter Kory Woods went as far as to predict that Smith could be back in Honolulu Blue soon, noting he’d be “shocked” if Smith isn’t in uniform by the end of the week.
For now, the Lions are hoping Andre Carter II can recapture some of the explosive pass-rushing ability that once made him one of college football’s most feared defenders.
