The Detroit Lions currently have one open spot on their 53-man roster, but according to general manager Brad Holmes, that vacancy isn’t reserved for anyone in particular.

During a press conference on Thursday, August 28, in Allen Park, Holmes downplayed the notion of a potential reunion with veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith. While he didn’t completely shut the door, Holmes made it clear that no player—Smith included—has been specifically targeted to fill that slot.

Smith has remained unsigned since the Lions released him in March due to salary cap constraints. The veteran defender, who turns 33 in early September, joined Detroit last November in a trade with the Cleveland Browns. Despite appearing in just nine games, he made a significant impact by producing 40 quarterback pressures and recording four sacks, stepping up after Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport were sidelined with season-ending injuries.

Detroit ultimately parted ways with Smith on March 10, right before free agency began. Although his 2024 base salary would have been a modest $1.5 million, the Lions were set to be on the hook for nearly $9 million in bonuses if he stayed on the roster. That financial hit led to his release.

Since then, there have been sporadic conversations between the Lions and Smith’s camp. Earlier this summer, Holmes admitted on a local radio show that there was “still interest” in bringing Smith back, while the defender himself expressed to USA TODAY Sports in June that he hoped for a return to Detroit.

Still, Holmes emphasized this week that no recent negotiations have taken place. The Lions did bolster their depth at edge rusher on Wednesday by claiming former Dallas Cowboys defender Tyrus Wheat, who joins Al-Quadin Muhammad as a reserve behind Hutchinson and Davenport.

With Week 1 approaching, a deal between the Lions and Smith does not appear to be on the horizon.