Joel Heath opted out of the 2020 season, and the veteran defensive lineman will now be unable to play in 2021. Heath suffered a torn ACL while working out at the Lions’ facility Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.
Heath went down during an individual period at Lions OTAs, which began Monday. The Lions signed Heath in February, shortly after the Broncos released him. He signed a one-year, $990K contract.
The Broncos claimed the former Texans UDFA off waivers late in the 2019 season and re-signed him in 2020. He did not end up seeing any action with Denver, however. Heath, 27, became a Texans starter early in his career, despite his low-level NFL entrance. Over his first two seasons, Heath started 15 games with Houston. He has become a backup in the years since.
As a result of the opt-out and this injury, Heath will face longer odds in a potential bid to make a roster in 2022.