Charles Harris, a defensive end for the Detroit Lions who finished first on the club in sacks in 2021, intends to sign a contract with the Carolina Panthers. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network broke the story first.
After three seasons in Detroit, where he participated in 36 games (21 starts), Harris now plays for the Panthers. There, he collected 92 tackles, 10 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
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Harris had a career-high 65 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles across 17 games (14 starts) in 2021, his first season with the Lions. He received a $14 million, two-year contract extension for his efforts. Harris was only able to play in six games in 2022 due to a groin ailment that kept him out of action for a large portion of the season. He renegotiated his contract before the 2023 campaign, taking a $3 million pay reduction in order to remain in Detroit.
The Lions decided not to re-sign him once his contract expired in 2023, presumably in order to concentrate on the growth of younger players like Josh Paschal and James Houston. In addition, the organization announced Harris’ departure by signing Marcus Davenport, a former defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings.
According to reports that surfaced on August 30, Harris had been working out for the Panthers the day before, and the organization was looking into options to strengthen their pass rush.
Harris has also played for the Miami Dolphins, who took him 22nd overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, and the Atlanta Falcons in addition to Detroit.
The defensive tackle that the Detroit Lions signed for Week 1 is waived.
After signing Chris Smith, a defensive lineman, to help cover for DJ Reader in anticipation of their Week 1 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams, the Detroit Lions have dismissed Smith.
This weekend against the Tampa Bay Bucs, Reader is anticipated to make his team debut. The Lions have returned to having 52 players on their active roster after dismissing Smith. In Sunday Night Football’s 26-20 overtime victory over the Rams, Smith participated in eight defensive snaps. This was the 24-year-old defensive tackle’s first league regular-season play.
After spending the previous season with the Lions, both on the active roster and the practice squad, Smith is a strong contender to return given his experiences here.
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In order to make room for Kyle Peko on the starting roster after Reader was declared inactive, the Lions signed Smith to the active roster.
Shortly before this roster change, fellow defensive lineman Alim McNeill gave the former Harvard and Notre Dame standout compliments. Smith has dedicated his entire life to succeeding in this league, according to McNeill; he has always had it; he simply didn’t have any in-season playing time until Week 1.
