The Lions announced Monday that they signed defensive end Robert Ayers, which marked the second pass rusher they've added in the last week.
Ayers joined the Lions for his 10th NFL season after spending the past two years (2016-17) with the Buccaneers, where he appeared in 12 games (10 starts) in both seasons. He totaled 31 total tackles (20 solo), two sacks and two forced fumbles in 2017.
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A former first-round pick (18th overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Broncos, Ayers has played in 120 games (59 starts) and has notched 264 tackles (191 solo), 35 sacks, 108 quarterback hits, 51 tackles for loss and nine forced fumbles.
Ayers' best season came in 2015 with the Giants when he had 41 tackles and 9 1/2 sacks.
Detroit has now added two pass rushers since the preseason started as it also traded for Eli Harold. New head coach Matt Patricia served as understudy to Bill Belichick with the Patriots, so he knows how to get the most out of guys who didn't quite fit with previous teams.
The Lions, who have also been linked to Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack, clearly have some holes they want filled on defense. Ayers and Harold could be the low-budget answers they needed.