Detroit Lions sign DE Isaiah Thomas off Cincinnati Bengals practice squad

The Detroit Lions are making the first of what could be multiple moves to bolster their injury-riddled defensive line, signing edge rusher Isaiah Thomas off the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad, according to ESPN.

Thomas, 6 feet 5 and 270 pounds, played collegiately at Oklahoma and was a seventh-round pick in the 2022 draft by the Cleveland Browns. He had one sack and nine tackles in 10 games as a rookie.

Thomas is the newest addition to a Lions defense that already has lost its top three edge rushers likely for the season.

Aidan Hutchinson broke the tibia and fibula in his left leg in Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboys and faces a four- to six-month rehab . Marcus Davenport is out for the season with a torn triceps he suffered in a Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals. And outside linebacker Derrick Barnes suffered what likely is a season-ending knee injury in the same game.

Josh Paschal replaced Davenport in the starting lineup, and the Lions used practice squad pass rusher Isaac Ukwu and linebacker Trevor Nowaske to finish the Cowboys game at defensive end.

Birkett: Brad Holmes owes it to Super Bowl-contending Lions to add DE after Aidan Hutchinson injury

Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday the team is open to adding veteran help to its defensive line, but is in no rush to make a move and wants to continue evaluating its internal options.

"This comes up every year, and it’s not like (general manager Brad Holmes) doesn’t look," Campbell said. "So he’s doing what he’s been doing, he’s looking. Is there somebody out there that could potentially help us? What is it going to cost? And so those things will always come up, but just because that’s there, it doesn’t mean we’re going to do it. And it’s got to be right if it is. Everything’s got to be right."

Dave Birkett will sign copies of his new book, " Detroit Lions : An Illustrated Timeline" at 7 p.m., Oct. 21, at 24 Seconds Bar & Grill in Berkley, and from 5:30-7 p.m., Oct. 22 at Stadium Cards & Comics in Ypsilanti. Order your copy here.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions sign DE Isaiah Thomas off Cincinnati Bengals practice squad