It turns out the Cincinnati Bengals trading for running back Khalil Herbert was not a sign of things to come for the team at the NFL trade deadline. The Bengals sat still at the deadline despite obvious needs along the defensive line and at other positions.

The Lions have leaned on a variety of players to make up for the absence of Hutchinson, including Levi Onwuzurike, James Houston and Josh Paschal, but none of them has been an every-down player like Hutchinson was. Adding Smith gives Detroit another player to add to that rotation.