In his debut with the Detroit Lions, veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith played 37 snaps in the team’s win against Jacksonville.

As the Lions prepare for their upcoming matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, it’s possible that Smith’s workload will increase even further.

Smith made an immediate impact, even while inactive for Detroit’s previous game against Houston.

During that game, he was seen coaching his teammates on the sidelines, showing his leadership qualities.

In his first official game with the Lions in Week 11, Smith showcased his skills by recording a half-sack, demonstrating why Detroit had pursued him.

His contributions weren’t limited to just his play on the field but also his positive influence on the team’s culture.

“His energy is off the charts,” said defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. “He fits what we’re trying to do as a team, especially on defense.

He brings physicality and aggression to the field, and we’re eager to increase his snap count to see more of what he can bring as a true edge rusher for us this week.”

Meanwhile, defensive lineman Brodric Martin, a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was recently activated off injured reserve. Martin could make his season debut against the Colts.

Before this, during the final stretch of his recovery, Martin earned Scout Team Player of the Week honors for his strong performances while helping the offense prepare during practice.

The coaching staff has been impressed by Martin’s progress. “He’s earned his place,” Glenn stated. “Being named Scout Team Player of the Week shows he’s working hard.

We’re not rushing him, but as he continues to practice well, we’ll get him ready for game action when we feel he’s fully prepared.”

In blowout victories, the Lions have found opportunities to get backup quarterback Hendon Hooker some game reps.

Through three appearances, Hooker has completed six of his nine passes for 62 yards.

The former Tennessee standout, who missed his entire rookie season recovering from a knee injury, is now getting crucial in-game experience.

Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson sees these opportunities as key to Hooker’s development. “There’s no substitute for game experience,” Johnson said.

“He’s had a ton of reps during training camp and the preseason, and we’ve seen growth in his performance. These in-game snaps are invaluable for him.

I’m trying to balance giving him some passes while respecting the opponent, but every rep counts for his long-term growth.”

The Lions will face a tough challenge in Indianapolis this Sunday, particularly with the presence of second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.

After a brief benching, Richardson returned to the starting lineup last week and led the Colts to victory over the New York Jets.

He was 20-of-30 passing for 272 yards and a touchdown, while also contributing 32 rushing yards and two more touchdowns on 10 carries.

Head coach Dan Campbell recognizes the dual threat Richardson brings to the field.

“We saw the best of him last week,” Campbell said. “I don’t think you can compare that to earlier in the year, as they’ve taken the shackles off him.

They’ve allowed him to just go play, and you can see his potential.

But we also need to be cautious—he’s a physical player who can take hits, and we want to avoid him being injured, but he’s the key to their offense now.”

Detroit’s defense will have to contain both Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor, who is back in action after recovering from injury.

While Richardson has made some mistakes, throwing seven interceptions this season, his ability to both pass and run makes him dangerous.

The Lions’ goal will be to disrupt Richardson’s rhythm, both as a passer and as a runner.

“They have a diverse set of running schemes with Richardson, including quarterback power, RPOs, and designed runs,” Campbell explained. “Then there’s the play-action, and if he scrambles, he’s hard to bring down.

If he’s in the pocket and defenders get their hands on him, he’s got the strength to stiff-arm them off and make throws downfield. We need to be prepared for all of that.”

On a broader note, the NFL’s new kickoff rule, which came into effect this season, has now been in place long enough for teams to evaluate its impact.

Some teams have opted to kick off deep into the end zone, giving the opponent the ball at their own 25-yard line, while others have experimented with various strategies, trying to find a balance between risk and reward.

Lions special teams coach Dave Fipp has weighed in on the strategy.

“It’s all about risk-reward. Sometimes, the reward is just a couple of yards, but the risk of giving up a big play is significant,” he said.

“If you have a big lead, is it worth giving the other team another chance to make a play? You have to be thoughtful in those situations.”

While the Lions play most of their home games indoors, they still face two important outdoor games this season, including a trip to Chicago in December.

That game could be particularly challenging due to the possibility of inclement weather, which often impacts play in Chicago during the winter months.

To prepare, the Lions are practicing for such conditions.

“We’ve got some cold weather games ahead, including a trip to San Francisco and potentially the playoffs,” Fipp said. “We’ve made adjustments throughout the season to prepare for these outdoor conditions.

We’ve already experienced two outdoor games, and we’ll continue to balance the risks and rewards of different situations.”

Overall, while the Lions’ focus is on their upcoming games, particularly against the Colts, they are also keeping an eye on the bigger picture and ensuring their team is prepared for all challenges ahead.

Smith’s role is expected to grow, and as Martin works his way back from injury, the Lions have the potential to add more depth to their defense.

Hooker’s continued development and the team’s preparation for adverse weather conditions only further reflect the Lions’ commitment to building a resilient and adaptable squad.

In the coming weeks, the team will continue to refine its strategies, focusing on getting key players like Smith and Martin involved more as they move toward the playoffs.

With a solid defense, improving special teams, and a growing offense, the Lions are positioning themselves to make a deep postseason run, and every player will play a crucial role in getting them there