Bruce

Irvin

Irvin had been on the Lions practice squad a couple of months ago, but will now have a place on the Dolphins’ active roster. The 36-year-old played 11 games for Seattle last season and finished with 3.5 sacks. With the Dolphins losing both Jaelen Phillips and Bradley Chubb weeks ago and then Kevin Van Ginkel just last week, the team is desperate for help off the edge during the playoffs. They also signed EDGE Malik Reed to their practice squad.

The veteran Irvin has spent 11 seasons in the NFL, most recently with the Seahawks last season. He has 55.5 career sacks and will now start out on the Lions practice squad. Irvin will look to help the Lions’ pass rush as they make a playoff push.

The soon to be 35-year-old Irvin is likely to be used as a situational pass rusher. He last played late in the 2021 season for the Bears where he was pretty quiet. Irvin has not recorded a sack since the 2019 season as a member of the Panthers when he recorded 8.5.

With Khalil Mack (foot) not practicing, the Bears need some depth on the edge. This is the first we have heard of Irvin since the Seahawks let him walk in free agency following a two-game 2020. Now 34, Irvin does not have much left in the tank. If he makes it onto the field in Week 11, it will be as a situational pass rusher.

It was reportedly a “follow-up” knee surgery that will put his recovery from a torn ACL (and eventual return to the field) behind schedule. 34 in November, Irvin is likely looking at a one-year ‘prove it’ deal on the open market just to give himself a shot at one more extensive contract before hanging up his cleats. He should be considered questionable for Week 1 of the new league year.

It’s the worst case scenario for Irvin, who went down while rushing Cam Newton on Sunday night. Alton Robinson and Shaquem Griffin could be active to help Seattle’s already-thin front-seven in Week 3. The team will also likely bring in Clay Matthews or another veteran to fill the void. Irvin recorded a career-high 8.5 sacks across 13 games just last year.

It’s a day to day injury, but this is something that can linger. Irvin had hip surgery in 2014 and missed the first three weeks last year with a hamstring issue. He’s expected to be ready for the start of the season

It’s a reunion of sorts as Seattle initially selected Irvin as the No. 15 overall pick in the 2012 draft. Despite missing Carolina’s first three games with a nagging soft tissue injury last year, the feisty EDGE rusher exploded for a career-high 8.5 sacks in 13 contests across from rookie Brian Burns. The 32-year-old addition is a terrific get for the organization considering Jadeveon Clowney’s return remains up in the air.

The Raiders do not plan to drop Irvin into coverage as much as he did with the Seahawks, which will give him a lot more freedom to get after the quarterback. With Khalil Mack eating up double teams on the other side, Irvin could top his career-high in sacks (8) this season.

Irvin played a hybrid linebacker/pass rusher role with the Seahawks, but it sounds like his main focus will be getting after the quarterback in Oakland. Irvin has recorded just 22 sacks in four seasons, but a tighter focus on rushing the passer should lead to more production.