Lions Activate Star Pass-Rusher Trey Flowers off the PUP List

The Detroit Lions got a huge boost to their defense on Saturday when news broke of a few transactions the team conducted. The most noteworthy is the activation of prized free agent signing Trey Flowers off the PUP List.

The All-Pro defensive end had surgery on his shoulder this offseason, and has progressed enough to return to practice full time. The pass-rusher will be ready for the start of the 2019 NFL season.

A good sign for the #Lions top free agent acquisition: They activated Trey Flowers (shoulder) from PUP list. He’ll be ready for the season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 10, 2019

The Lions inked Flowers to a five-year, $90 million deal in free agency to bolster their pass-rush after letting Ezekiel Ansah walk. The familiarity between Flowers and second-year head coach Matt Patricia no doubt played a role in the signing.

Last season for the Patriots, Flowers recorded 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles en route to a second team All-Pro nod. After appearing in one game his rookie season, Flowers averaged seven sacks per season in the following three years before bolting for a pay day in Detroit.

Patriots DE Trey Flowers intends to sign with Detroit, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2019

Flowers is being counted on to carry the Detroit defensive line. If he can consistently get to the quarterback, the Lions could make some noise in the stacked NFC North.