Reggie Gilbert will have a chance to return to a regular-season role soon. The Lions signed the veteran pass rusher, according to the team.
A knee injury during Titans training camp last year sidetracked his run with the team, and a waived/injured transaction took place soon after. Gilbert caught on with the Cardinals and Jaguars but did not play in a game with either team.
The Titans traded for Gilbert just ahead of the 2019 season and used him as a spot starter that year. The outside linebacker played a role for a Titans team hurting for edge presences opposite Harold Landry, starting in five games. He recorded 2.5 sacks in 16 games with the Packers in 2018, working as a backup with the NFC North squad from 2017-18. Green Bay loaded up on outside ‘backers in the 2019 offseason, however, and sent Gilbert elsewhere.
Detroit re-signed Romeo Okwara in free agency this year but went most of last season without Trey Flowers on the field. Flowers is set to return, and the Lions have 2020 third-round pick Julian Okwara in the mix as well. The Lions are moving to a 3-4 defense this year; Gilbert’s game action has come exclusively for teams who have used that scheme. The 28-year-old defender will now vie for a Detroit depth role.
There was a time when Gilbert seemed poised to be the starter outside for the Packers. Needless to say, that did not go as planned, but he can certainly fill a role as a depth piece and start in a pinch. He has a good motor, he just is not quite explosive enough to consistently generate pressure. Signings like these hopefully give quality depth to the teams performing them. The extra benefit of signing an ex division rival doesn’t hurt.
The Lions can sign Gilbert O’Sullivan and Gilbert Godfrey but as long as the Ford ownership is still tucked in bed with an electric blanket and cocoa get ready Lions fans for the annual 6 week season.