The Detroit Lions announced roster moves ahead of their Week 13 matchup with the New Orleans Saints.
For Sunday’s game, the Lions elevated veteran Bruce Irvin and Quinton Bohanna from the practice squad.
Irvin is expected to help the Lions’ pass rush, which hasn’t collected a sack in two of the last three games. The 36-year-old brings a wealth of experience, having collected 55.5 career sacks in his career.
The veteran hasn’t played since last season, when he totaled 3.5 sacks for the Seattle Seahawks. Despite the lack of recent performance, the Lions are excited about the winning pedigree that he brings to the organization.
“He’s just added that value, on top of guys like Charles and Ro (Romeo Okwara) that already was showing them, he’s brought in that championship mentality, this is the only way to do things,” said linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard. “It’s not, ‘On this day we’re gonna raise it and then, oh my body’s hurt.’ That’s the only way to do it every day.
“I think that’s something, he’s been on top of these guys. He’s a big guy on, he’s not just gonna open his mouth. So his first week, he’s been kind of quiet. I said, ‘You can speak up.’ He was like, ‘Shep, you know how I am. Once I know I’m out there, guys see what I can do, then I can open my mouth.’ So he’s growing in that role,” Sheppard continued. “Hutch, Charles, those guys have done an amazing job trying to get him up to speed so when his number is called, he’s able to contribute and help us out.”
Sheppard has a unique tie to Irvin, as the two played a year of high school football together and have remained close friends since.
“I mean, outside of the fact that I’m amazed at the things that he can do at the age that he’s at, he’s a year older than me, I don’t know if a lot of people know that,” Sheppard explained. “But we grew up together, long-time friend of mine, so I knew the make up of him. I knew the moment Brad and Dan had a conversation with him, they were gonna fall in love because he’s everything this organization is about. But on top of that, he’s won in this league. That’s something coming into that edge rusher room, you look at the make up of that room and say, ‘Who’s really won?’ I’m talking real winning as far as, obviously he’s won a Super Bowl in Seattle, but consistently going over to .500 ball clubs and outfits like that, knowing what that looks like.”
