Report: Lions put in a claim for DE Kony Ealy

Injuries have seriously thinned out Detroit’s defensive line. Both on the edge and along the interior, the Lions are now entering their fourth and final week of the preseason in need of serious help. Already young and rather inexperienced, their lack of talent and ready bodies on the defensive line is as pressing an issue the team has heading into the start of the regular season.

Detroit doesn’t seem to be counting on what they currently have to be enough. According to a report from Jane Slater of the NFL Network, the Lions had tangible interest in adding Kony Ealy to their roster:

Before Ealy was waived by the New England Patriots, Jeremy Reisman explored the idea of Detroit making a deal for the former second-round pick out of Missouri. And while the Lions clearly weren’t ready to part with assets in exchange for the pass rusher, it is clear the Lions—and five other teams—were interested in taking a chance on him once he was put on waivers. Even though the Jets were awarded Ealy on Sunday, the Buccaneers, Redskins, and Cardinals all would have had priority in waivers to claim him before the Lions.

From here on out, keep an eye to the rumor mill, the transaction list, or let us here at Pride of Detroit do the legwork for you. Teams must trim their rosters from 90 to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, and if this report confirms anything, it’s that GM Bob Quinn is looking to add some more help to the defensive line. Expect the team to be very active in terms of fine tuning their roster over the next week or so.