Detroit was the only team in the NFL to not have a sack through its first two games.
ALLEN PARK — The Lions are continuing to make moves to bolster the pass rush.
Detroit has signed defensive end Robert Ayers to a one-year deal. The team has cut cornerback Josh Okonye to make room.
Ayers, 32, comes with 120 games, 59 starts and 34.5 career sacks of experience playing with the Broncos, Giants and Buccaneers.
The move comes mere days after the Lions traded with the 49ers for some edge help in the form of linebacker Eli Harold. Detroit was the only team in the NFL to not record a sack through its first two preseason games prior to executing these moves.
At 6 feet 3 inches and 275 pounds, Ayers is more of a traditional down lineman, whereas Harold is more of a linebacker who can also rush. Ayers has had flashes of sack production, including 15.5 combined in 2016 and 2017.
He fell to two sacks in 12 games last year, and injuries have started to take their toll on the aging player. He has missed exactly four games in four straight seasons, and he hasn’t played a full 16 games since 2011.
He’ll join an end rotation behind Ezekiel Ansah that includes Anthony Zettel, Kerry Hyder, Alex Barrett and the combo play of Harold and Devon Kennard.
