{"id":247207,"date":"2025-09-25T10:00:02","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T14:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=247207"},"modified":"2025-09-25T10:20:30","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T14:20:30","slug":"an-unlikely-hero-emerges-for-the-detroit-lions-defense-al-quadin-muhammad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/09\/25\/an-unlikely-hero-emerges-for-the-detroit-lions-defense-al-quadin-muhammad\/","title":{"rendered":"An Unlikely Hero Emerges For The Detroit Lions Defense"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

An unlikely hero is emerging for the Detroit Lions’ defense, just when the team needs him the most. After a bumpy start, eight-year NFL journeyman Al-Quadin Muhammad<\/a> has finally found a home with the Detroit Lions.<\/p>\r\n

An Unlikely Hero Emerges For The Detroit Lions Defense\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n

The Lions were already thin at the EDGE position with Josh Paschal\u2019s<\/a> injury and the loss of promising rookie Ahmed Hassanein<\/a>. Fans who felt cheated when Za\u2019Darius Smith<\/a> signed with the Philadelphia Eagles were questioning whether Brad Holmes<\/a> made a mistake in letting him walk. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n

But when asked about Smith, Dan Campbell seemed unconcerned<\/a>. \u201cWe\u2019re good,\u201d he stated emphatically. \u201cWell, we\u2019re good right now,\u201d Campbell said on Wednesday on 97.1 The Ticket, per MLive\u2019s Kory Woods.<\/a> \u201cI mean, we\u2019re pretty good here. We got (Marcus Davenport), we got good depth. I like what we got on the interior, too. We got a lot of flexibility, and we\u2019re sitting pretty good right now. So we\u2019re ready to go, man.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

The Lions’ Need At EDGE Grows\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n

However, the situation suddenly looked bleak following Marcus Davenport\u2019s<\/a> injury update amid his return to IR. However, once again, Holmes and Campbell were proven right. \u00a0Muhammad is justifying their confidence and providing that depth. In two games with the Lions, PFF.com<\/a> \u00a0ranks Muhammad second with 4.0 sacks and assigned an 83 grade<\/a> with nine quarterback pressures on 69 snaps.<\/p>\r\n

Muhammad, An NFL Veteran Journeyman<\/h3>\r\n
\"\"
Detroit Lions linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) celebrates a tackle against Chicago Bears during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

Signed by the Lions last year, Muhammad has experienced his share of NFL career ups and downs. At 30 years old, the 6\u20193\u201d, 250 lb. veteran EDGE has been with six different NFL teams, including two stints with the Indianapolis Colts<\/a>. Drafted by the New Orleans Saints<\/a> in 2017 in the sixth round with the 196th overall pick, Muhammad was waived the following year during the preseason.<\/p>\r\n

Immediately claimed by the Colts off waivers, Muhammad was signed to their practice squad. Promoted to the active roster in October 2018, he recorded his first fumble return and pass defense that year, along with 16 tackles. \u00a0The following season, Muhammad combined for 28 tackles (17 solo) along with 3.0 sacks and a forced fumble. \u00a0Instrumental in a 2019 postseason victory over the Houston Texans,<\/a> he contributed a sack, a TFL, and a quarterback hit.<\/p>\r\n

In 2020, Muhammad recorded 23 tackles with 14 solo, 2.0 sacks, and a forced fumble. However, his most memorable moment came in Week 10. \u00a0A national TV audience saw Muhammad ejected from the game after punching out Tennessee Titans<\/a> OT Ty Sambrailo. He had his best year with the Colts the following season. Starting all 17 games in 2021, Muhammad recorded 48 tackles (25 solo) with 6.0 sacks and a forced fumble.<\/p>\r\n

Muhammad’s Bumpy NFL Years<\/h3>\r\n

Becoming a free agent in March of 2022, Muhammad signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Bears<\/a>. That season, he started nine games for the Bears and recorded 29 tackles with 11 solo, 1.0 sacks, and a forced fumble. Despite the two-year contract, he was released in February of 2023. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Following his release from the Bears, Muhammad returned for a second stint with the Colts. But after a disappointing preseason, he was released and subsequently re-signed to the Colts’ practice squad. \u00a0However, things went downhill from there. In December of 2023, Muhammad served a six-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.<\/p>\r\n

Once again a free agent, Muhammad signed with the Dallas Cowboys<\/a> on August 1, 2024. \u00a0However, he was released only four weeks later. \u00a0Not drawing any interest from other NFL teams, Muhammad felt like his NFL career was over. \u00a0<\/sup><\/p>\r\n

However, on October 7, 2024, he was signed by the Lions. Elevated from the practice squad, Muhammad appeared in nine games last season, starting two. Recording 11 tackles (eight solo), five quarterback hits, four TFLs, and 3.0 sacks last year, it was a forgone conclusion that Muhammad would make the 2025 roster. Playing against Chicago two weeks ago, Muhammad sacked Caleb Williams and posted four tackles (three solo).<\/p>\r\n

Muhammad, A Breakout Game Against the Ravens\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n

Tapped as Davenport\u2019s replacement ahead of the Ravens game, Muhammad led the team with 2.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, three solo tackles, and two TFLs. With under five minutes left to play, one of those tackles was a critical third-down stop on Lamar Jackson that forced a punt. Earlier, he combined with LB Alex Anzalone<\/a> to sack Jackson to force a 3rd and 26. After that performance, Campbell awarded Muhammad with a locker room game ball.<\/p>\r\n

The Unlikeliest of Heroes Was On The Couch A Year Ago<\/h3>\r\n

Accepting the game ball, a humble and grateful Muhammad began by thanking all the coaches, players, and the Lions organization for their help, noting that a year ago, he was at home on the couch. \u201cWhen you get an opportunity, you make sure you take advantage of it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Sometimes, all it takes for a player to realize his full potential is pairing that player with the right team. Muhammad found that in Detroit. \u00a0The team culture Campbell created here is a brotherhood that breeds success. Egos and personal agendas are set aside to achieve a common objective; whatever is best for the team’s victory. \u00a0One of the defining elements of this group is how they show up for each other. The players support each other, and they learn and continue to improve together as a team.<\/p>\r\n

Providing blocks is prioritized. Wide receiver Jameson Williams<\/a> was blocking all night long for David Montgomery<\/a> in Baltimore. Kicker Jake Bates delivered a key block<\/a> that saved a touchdown against the Ravens.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Campbell <\/a>stresses the importance of improving throughout the season, “You do the best you can to put your guys in a position to make plays, and those guys made plays. And I know this, we have guys, in particular our young guys, that are improving. They\u2019re getting better and better and better. That\u2019s all you can ask for. I\u2019ll bring it up again. You want to be playing your best football when you hit Week 18. So, we just have to continue to get a little bit better every year.”<\/p>\r\n

\r\n
The Holmes \/ Campbell culture promotes getting the team to win above all else. \u00a0When the Lions are winning, records will be shattered and individual stats will follow. \u00a0In his one game for the Philadelphia Eagles, Za’Darius Smith recorded two tackles and 0.5 sacks. Muhammad has eight tackles (six solo), 4.0 sacks, and nine quarterback pressures in two games. \u00a0Maybe it’s time for the fans to stop doubting Holmes and believe Campbell when he says,” We’re good.” \u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\u00a0<\/div>\r\n
Main Image: Junfu Han \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An unlikely hero emerges for the Detroit Lions defense. NFL journeyman Al-Quadin Muhammad has finally found a home with the Detroit Lions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5208,"featured_media":248067,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[24,6431],"tags":[9473,3624,32514,7464,4828,32629,8968,3516,4601],"class_list":["post-247207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lions","category-nfl-teams","tag-al-quadin-muhammad","tag-alex-anzalone","tag-brad-holmes","tag-dan-campbell","tag-david-montgomery","tag-jake-bates","tag-jameson-williams","tag-marcus-davenport","tag-zadarius-smith"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/247207","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5208"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=247207"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/247207\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":248070,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/247207\/revisions\/248070"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/248067"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=247207"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=247207"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=247207"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}