Whether the cryptic tweet helped grease the skids for the trade, we may never know. But the deal was done less than 90 minutes later and Smith deleted the post. In his first meeting with the Detroit media, Smith smiled and explained the post.

Za'Darius Smith was not active in his first game as a member of the Detroit Lions organization, a Sunday night showdown against Houston. However, he could be seen and heard on the team's sideline.

On Monday morning, the Lions acquired edge rusher Za'Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns ... The Browns are in sell mode after starting the season 2-7 and sit near the bottom of the NFL standings, while the Lions needed to add pass rushers in their ...

leads the NFL with 11 sacks and played for Lions coaches in New Orleans. Hendrickson would have certainly cost the Lions a lot more draft capital than Smith, but he would have come with a sticky contract situation. FILM REVIEW:Za'Darius Smith won't replace ...

“The Lions and Browns have discussed a potential trade for defensive end Za’Darius Smith. At this point, the expectation is that it’ll be more than talk. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the current expectation is that Smith will be traded to Detroit tonight or tomorrow.” – Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk

The Lions are doing what they can to fill that Aidan Hutchinson-sized hole in their defense for their Super Bowl push.

The NFL trade deadline hit at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday with no fresh news involving the Detroit Lions. GM Brad Holmes and the Lions made their move hours earlier on Tuesday morning in acquiring EDGE Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for ...

The debut of new Detroit Lions defensive end Za'Darius Smith is likely on hold. After joining his new team Friday, the team has reportedly decided not to play

The Lions traded for edge rusher Za'Darius Smith this week, but it looks like his Detroit debut will have to wait.

Nolan Bianchi asks Dan Campbell about Za'Darius Smith coaching on the sidelines.

Lions fans will have to wait a week to see the debut of new edge rusher Za’Darius Smith. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Smith, who was acquired by the Lions on Tuesday just before the trade deadline, will not play Sunday night against the Houston Texans.