The Detroit Lions need all the help they can get on the defensive side of the ball, as the unit has been absolutely crushed by injuries throughout the season.
Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible for Detroit to make an impact addition to help the defense this late in the season. However, there is someone the Lions need to be keeping their eye on in the coming weeks.
That someone is Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who recently revealed that it’s possible the Dolphins could waive him upon being eliminated from playoff contention so that he can join a playoff-bound team.
“Whether Calais Campbell will finish season here is fluid,” Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald wrote. “Will be here at least as long as in playoff contention. If Fins eliminated, Dolphins releasing him to join contender still in play.”
While the Dolphins haven’t been eliminated just yet, they are very close.
The AFC East has been wrapped up for weeks now and the 6-8 Dolphins are a full two games out of the final playoff spot entering Week 16. Long story short: it’s a matter of time.
If Campbell gets waived, Marissa Myers of TWSN predicts he will land with the Lions.
With adding Campbell the Lions would get a talented player to boost the depth, and ensure the defensive line isn’t what holds them back. This Lions team has the potential to make the Super Bowl, but they can’t let their window go to waste, and that’s why they have to sign Campbell if he were to get released.
Despite being 38 years old, Campbell has remained a productive player this season, tallying four sacks, 32 pressures and 10 tackles for loss. Campbell also offers versatility with his ability to play inside and out.
While Campbell would be a perfect fit for the Lions, a team that has lost 3/4 of its starting defensive line, the veteran will have to go through waivers first.
The problem with that is there will be plenty of playoff-bound teams interested in Campbell’s services and the Lions are going to be near the bottom of the waiver wire priority.
The chances of the six-time Pro Bowler making it all the way to Detroit are slim, but we can dream.
