The Detroit Lions have been one of the formidable teams in football this season, as Dan Campbell’s squad is 12-1 and has sole possession of first place in the NFC North through 14 weeks. The Lions have won a franchise record 11 straight games after a 1-1 start and will look to extend their winning streak in Week 15 at Ford Field versus the Buffalo Bills.

Though the Lions are tied for the best record in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, the team has been ravaged by injuries, primarily on defense. Detroit’s front seven has multiple impact players on injured reserve, including defensive lineman John Cominsky. The 29-year-old suffered a torn MCL during a training camp practice towards the end of July and was placed on injured reserve a few weeks before the season commenced.

Cominsky could return off injured reserve for the playoffs, but the veteran’s severe injury couldn’t have come at a worse time, as the 2019 fourth-round pick is set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason. It’s unknown what Cominsky’s market will look like in the spring, but Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder believes the Ohio native will leave Detroit and sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the offseason.

Greg Gaines and William Gholston are impending free agents, which will leave Tampa Bay thin on the interior defensive line. Also, while Calijah Kancey and Logan Hall are good pass-rushers, both have issues against the run.

Cominsky would be a good fit since he can replace Gains and Gholston, and he has been a solid run defender during his career to complement Kancey and Hall.

Granted, this pairing will depend on how the 29-year-old’s medicals check out after suffering a torn MCL during training camp this summer.

Though Cominsky has missed the entire 2024 campaign, the former Atlanta Falcon was a pivotal player on the Lions’ defensive line last season, logging 566 snaps and posting 29 quarterback pressures in 16 games. Cominsky’s most productive season came in 2022 when he tallied a career-high four sacks and 44 quarterback pressures, along with a 68.2 PFF grade.

The Buccaneers’ defensive line has been solid in 2024, as Tampa Bay has totaled 35 sacks in 13 games this year, ranking within the top ten in the league. Though addressing the trenches isn’t an urgent need for general manager Jason Licht this offseason, defensive line depth is extremely vital in the modern NFL. Cominsky would be a savvy signing from the Bucs, as the veteran will be cheap to acquire and thrived as a complementary pass rusher with the Lions in 2022 and 2023.

Overall, Cominsky’s injury has created a ton of uncertainty surrounding his future with Detroit. General manager Brad Holmes may look to bring back the former Charleston standout due to his performance in previous years, but there is also a strong chance that Cominsky won’t be a Lion in 2025.

Tampa Bay would be an intriguing landing spot for the battle-tested defensive lineman, as the Buccaneers’ defense could use another impactful pass rusher with a high motor.