Report: Browns' Za'Darius Smith Eyed by Lions Ahead of 2024 NFL Trade Deadline

In search of pass-rush help following Aidan Hutchinson's season-ending injury, the Detroit Lions are keeping an eye on Za'Darius Smith of the Cleveland Browns.

Per The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Smith is among the defensive ends the Lions have checked in about leading up to the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday.

Hutchinson had surgery to repair a fractured tibia and fibula on Oct. 13 after he was injured in the Lions' 47-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Even though Hutchinson will miss the rest of the regular season, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported there is a "realistic chance" he could return for the Super Bowl if the Lions advance that far.

As soon as the injury occurred, Smith became an obvious trade candidate for Detroit. The Browns haven't totally waved the white flag on this season, but they have started selling some of their older veteran players when they traded Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 15.

Smith is under contract through next season with just a $1.5 million base salary in 2025. His deal does have $12 million in guaranteed money, but all of it is paid out this season so that any team could move on from him in the offseason.

It will be virtually impossible for any one player to make up the production that Hutchinson had this season prior to the injury. He still led the league in quarterback pressures and hits going into Week 8, even though he missed one full game by that point.

Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is doing a good job of scheming up pressure from his unit in their two games so far without Hutchinson.

One potential complicating factor for the Lions is the Browns could move within two games back of a playoff spot in the loss column in the AFC with a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

Cleveland put together its most impressive performance of the season in a 29-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8. Jameis Winston injected some life into the passing game in his first start after Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles.

If the Browns play well again, perhaps they decide to pull back the reins on going into full sell mode prior to the trade deadline.

Smith has six quarterback hits, five tackles for loss and five sacks in eight starts this season.