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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.



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Detroit, MI

2 accused in fatal Detroit stabbing of man with broken bottle charged

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2 accused in fatal Detroit stabbing of man with broken bottle charged


A man and woman accused in the fatal stabbing of another man with a broken bottle at a Detroit liquor store last week have been charged, officials said.

Steven Lewis Hooks, 54, and Bernice Shaneka Chenevert, 31, both of Detroit, were arraigned last Friday, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

Both defendants are charged with first-degree murder, officials said.

A magistrate ordered the two remanded to jail and scheduled their next court hearing for Monday, they said.

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If convicted, they face up to life in prison.

Hooks’ attorney, Edward Bajoka, said he was just appointed to the case and has no comment at this time. Chenevert’s attorney, Ben Gonek, also said he had no comment.

Authorities allege the defendants stabbed and killed Cordell Harris, 40, of Detroit, last Tuesday.

Police said the incident happened at about noon at a liquor store in the 14800 block of Livernois Avenue near Fenkell Avenue.

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According to a preliminary investigation, the victim spoke to Chenevert. After a brief exchange, she got into an argument with him, police said.

Detectives said she contacted Hooks and gave him a broken glass bottle, which he used to stab the victim multiple times in his neck.

Harris was privately conveyed to a hospital, where he died from his injuries, prosecutors said.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

X: @CharlesERamirez

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Detroit, MI

Red Wings erupt for four goals in second period, douse Flames

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Red Wings erupt for four goals in second period, douse Flames


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Detroit — There aren’t a lot of breathers the next two weeks for the Red Wings but Monday’s game against Calgary appeared to be one.

Turned out it was, and the Wings took full advantage.

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Four second-period goals, two of them from Patrick Kane, sent the Wings to a 5-2 victory over the woeful Flames.

Emmitt Finnie, Moritz Seider (power play) and Dominik Shine (empty net) added goals and goaltender John Gibson stopped 26 shots as the Wings (37-23-8, 82 points) moved three points past Columbus for the final wildcard spot.

With 82 points, the Wings also tied Montreal for third seed in the Atlantic Division, though Montreal has played two less games.

The Wings host Montreal Thursday, Boston — the other Eastern Conference wildcard team — Saturday and Ottawa on March 24, in a crucial homestand.

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The Wings fell behind 1-0 on Morgan Frost’s 15th goal in the first period, but roared back in the middle 20 minutes.

Kane tied it at 1 minute, 3 seconds when a deflected pass got on Alex DeBrincat near the blue line, and DeBrincat found Kane alone for a breakaway, Kane beating goaltender Dustin Wolf high.

The Wings took the lead on Finnie’s 12th goal. Finnie tapped in Albert Johansson’s pass, Johansson finding Finnie unattended at the side of the crease at 5:06.

BOX SCORE: Red Wings 5, Flames 2

Kane made it 3-1 with his 12th goal, and second of the period. Kane again converted a pass from DeBrincat, who stole a puck along the boards and found Kane skating alone toward the net. Kane got his stick on the puck and flipped it pass Wolf at 6:37.

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After Calgary’s Matt Coronato cut the lead to 3-2 — Coronato swiped a puck from Simon Edvinsson, broke in on a 2-on-1 rush and his shot deflected off Moritz Seider’s skate and through Gibson — Seider extended the lead back two goals with his ninth goal, on a shot from the slot on the power play.

Shine scored his second goal into an empty net.

tkulfan@detroitnews.com

@tkulfan



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Detroit, MI

Detroit police seek missing 16-year-old girl

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Detroit police seek missing 16-year-old girl


Police ask for public’s help in finding missing teen

Amya Thornton (WDIV)

DETROIT – Police in Detroit are looking for a 16-year-old girl missing from the city’s east side.

According to authorities, Amya Thornton was last seen March 3 on Fordham Street, near the intersection of Seven Mile Road and Gratiot Avenue.

Police said she failed to return home after school.

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Amya Thornton Details
Age 16 years old
Height 5 feet, 4 inches
Weight 130 pounds

Anyone who has seen Amya Thornton or knows of her whereabouts is asked to contact the Detroit Police Department at 313-596-5940 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

All tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous. Click here to submit a tip online.

More: Missing in Michigan




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