The NFL trade deadline is at 4pm ET on Tuesday, November 3
Thursday 29 October 2020 11:50, UK
Everson Griffen is on his way back to the NFC North after being acquired by the Detroit Lions via a trade with the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys will receive a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2021 Draft for the defensive end, who had 2.5 sacks in seven games for Dallas so far this season.
Griffen signed a one-year, $6m deal with Dallas in August having become a free agent after 10 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
The 32-year-old, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, had 74.5 sacks during his time in Minnesota and has 375 tackles, nine forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and two interceptions in 154 games.
COVID-19 protocols mean Griffen won't be available for the Lions' home matchup with the Indianapolis Colts in Week Eight, however he could make his debut against the Vikings on November 8.
Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms said of the deal on Pro Football Talk (Sky Sports NFL, weekdays, 7pm): "The Lions don't have playmakers. They've got a lot of big people up front but, other than Trey Flowers, who has been a little underwhelming as a pass rusher for what they've paid him, they realised they wanted to make a play at this thing to upgrade their front four.
"We're kind of sleeping on the Lions (3-3), but they're quietly sneaking under the radar there. They have got a chance to make a little bit of a run here, when you look at their schedule; I know they've got the Colts this week, but we've seen them trip and stumble this year. After that, it's Vikings, Washington, Panthers, Texans and then Bears - that's favourable.
"They could end up winning three or four of the next five games and then, all of a sudden, we're taking them seriously."
"It is not a lot, for a sixth-rounder, it's basically nothing. I will say this though, the play has not been overwhelming or going to pop out at you from Everson Griffen. He's got 2.5 sacks and he's not a guy that is even going to be a starter, I don't think, at this point. He's not the same player he was a few years back."
The Carolina Panthers have also released veteran cornerback Eli Apple, who signed a one-year deal with the team in May but has since been limited to injuries and played just 28 defensive snaps in tow games.
Apple, a first-round pick by the New York Giants in 2016, was listed on Carolina's injury report this week, reportedly leaving Tuesday's practice with a hamstring issue.
He has 237 tackles, 33 passes defensed and three interceptions in 57 career games (48 starts) with the Giants (2016-18), New Orleans Saints (2018-19) and Panthers, making four tackles in Sunday's 27-24 loss at New Orleans.
Donte Jackson and Troy Pride Jr. are the starting cornerbacks in Carolina, with Corn Elder and Stantley Thomas-Oliver III serving as backups while Rasul Douglas remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
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