Detroit, MI

D.J. Wonnum signs with Detroit Lions, first edge defender added

Published

1 month ago

March 17, 2026

Press Room

D.J. Wonnum signs with Detroit Lions, first edge defender added

D.J. Wonnum, 28, has had three sacks in every season since 2020, when the Vikings drafted him in the fourth round out of South Carolina.

The Detroit Lions have finally added an edge defender in free agency.

Veteran D.J. Wonnum has reached an agreement to join the Lions on a one-year deal after working out for the team on Tuesday, his agency confirmed via social media. Full financials of the deal are not immediately known.

Wonnum, 28, has had three sacks in every season since 2020, when the Minnesota Vikings drafted him in the fourth round out of South Carolina. He had eight sacks in the 2021 and 2023 seasons, both with Minnesota, before compiling seven total sacks over his last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He had four sacks in 2024 but was limited to eight games because of injury and health complications.

Wonnum is the first defensive lineman to join Detroit in free agency and the third outside free-agent signing on defense, along with defensive backs Christian Izien and Roger McCreary.

How many edge defenders do the Lions have?

The addition of Wonnum gives Detroit three true edge defenders on the roster and two defensive ends with starting experience. The Lions also have star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and Ahmed Hassanein. Hutchinson is coming off a 14 1/2-sack season after a broken leg cut his 2024 season short, while Hassanein didn’t appear in a game during his 2025 rookie season after suffering a severe pectoral injury in the preseason.

The Lions also roster a few defensive linemen who profile as inside defenders but have some experience on the edge, such as Levi Onwuzurike, Tyler Lacy, and Alim McNeill, as well as strong-side (Sam) linebacker Derrick Barnes.

What are D.J. Wonnum’s stats?

Wonnum has been a relatively consistent pass-rushing presence throughout his six seasons in the league. His numbers peaked in 2021, when he had 42 pressures and eight sacks, but he was on track to best or match both marks in 2024, which was cut short by complications stemming from quad surgery the previous year.

Last season, Wonnum registered 31 pressures — fewest since his rookie season (22) — and had three sacks to go with 42 combined tackles, a fumble recovery and three pass deflections.

During the 2023 season, his final in Minnesota, Wonnum set career-highs in pass breakups (six), tackles (62) and tied career-highs in sacks (eight), tackles-for-loss (seven) and quarterback hits (15).

nbianchi@detroitnews.com

@nolanbianchi

Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez shares the microphone with his daughter Mia

Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez signed a new one-year deal to stay in Detroit for a fifth NFL season.

Source link

Click to comment

Detroit, MI

Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron

Published

2 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron

The Pistons have made recent moves to add more shooting, but still don’t have anyone quite as lethal as former Detroit guard Luke Kennard. On Saturday night, Kennard had a brilliant start to his postseason with 27 uber-efficient points for the Lakers in a win against the Rockets. His level of 3-point accuracy is something the Pistons have desperately been seeking all season long to bolster their offense.

Luke Kennard’s shooting makes him a dangerous playoff performer

Kennard was originally drafted to Detroit with the 17th pick of the 2017 Draft. The Pistons have plenty of draft regrets from that general era of team history, but picking Kennard has never been one of them. Despite any other weaknesses he may have, his strength as a shooter has always been enough to offset them.

In terms of pure 3-point percentage, Kennard is one of the best shooters in NBA history. He averages 44% behind the arc for his career, and shot a blistering 48% this season – the best mark in the league. Given his incredible track record, it’s not exactly a shocker to see him shoot 5-of-5 from three en route to 27 points in Game 1.

Not only is Kennard obviously an excellent standstill shooter, but he’s also a master of getting himself open with his movement. On Saturday night, he was able to play off LeBron James perfectly for a few easy looks. After that, he caught enough of a rhythm to create 3-point looks for himself, even in transition.

A player like Kennard is easily capable of turning an entire playoff game when he gets hot. In a close series, that one game where Kennard hits several threes can be all the difference his team needs to advance. If the Lakers do manage to win this series, even without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, Kennard’s shooting will be a major reason why.

The Pistons could use someone like Kennard

Kennard would be a perfect marginal addition for the Pistons that only makes them better without taking anything away from the team. To be fair, the Pistons do have two shooters who have been hot recently in Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter. But having more than one respected shooter on the court at a time is often necessary to maintain a solid offense in today’s NBA.

Given the Pistons’ current lack of shooting, any additional shooters are welcome. And Kennard is understandably one of the most feared shooters in the league, capable of bending defenses just by the threat of him taking a three. Rolling him out on the Pistons would surely open up more lanes for Detroit’s stars to attack the paint and score easier points.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Source link

Detroit, MI

Troopers arrest Detroit woman after drive-by shooting on I-94

Published

15 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Troopers arrest Detroit woman after drive-by shooting on I-94

A Detroit woman was arrested in the aftermath of a hit-and-run collision and shooting on Interstate 94, Michigan State Police reported.

Emergency dispatchers were called shortly after midnight Saturday about the altercation. Troopers reported the caller said while they were driving eastbound on I-94, near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, a black Jeep sideswiped them and sped off.

The caller then decided to follow the Jeep.

In response, police said, the driver of the Jeep fired several gunshots in the caller’s direction.

None of the gunshots struck the vehicle.

Troopers were able to use license plate reader camera technology to locate the Jeep while it was on the Lodge Freeway, made a traffic stop. The driver and two passengers were taken into custody without incident.

The passengers were released shortly afterwards; troopers believe that the 19-year-old driver was the shooter. She has been lodged pending further review by the prosecutor’s office.

In addition, a firearm was recovered from the vehicle.

The above video originally aired on Aug. 19, 2025.

In:

Source link

Detroit, MI

Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons odds for NBA playoffs Game 1 Sunday

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons odds for NBA playoffs Game 1 Sunday

Who is favored in the NBA playoffs odds for Game 1 between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic?

Here’s what you need to know about NBA playoff betting odds for the NBA game between the No. 8 seed Magic and No. 1 seed Pistons, which is being played on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

What is the point spread for the Pistons vs Magic game?

What is the moneyline for the Magic vs Pistons game?

What is the over/under (point total) for betting on the first-round NBA playoff matchup?

Watch Magic at Pistons on Peacock

Magic vs Pistons odds: What is point spread?

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Detroit Pistons are an 8.5-point favorite over the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their NBA Playoffs series.

Pistons vs Magic odds: What is moneyline?

BetMGM Sportsbook lists Detroit as -375 on the moneyline for the first-round NBA playoff game. It has Orlando at +290.

Magic vs Pistons odds: What is over/under?

The point total for the opening game of the NBA playoffs series between the Pistons and Magic is listed at 218.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today. Sign up for azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don’t miss a thing.

Source link