The Cleveland Browns started this year with a strong defense and had no room for 2022 seventh-round pick Isaiah Thomas. The Detroit Lions gave him another chance on an active roster, signing him from the Bengals’ practice squad on Tuesday morning.

Thomas was drafted out of Oklahoma and appeared in 10 games as a rookie. In his limited time on the field, he recorded nine tackles and one sack. The Florida native remained on the Browns’ roster until 2023, but did not play in any games.

The Lions turned to Thomas with a desperate need at defensive end. Star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered a serious leg injury during the team’s 47-9 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Hutchinson and Thomas began their careers at opposite ends of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Lions trusted the Michigan product enough to take him second overall. As for Thomas, he slipped in the draft despite recording 16.5 sacks in his final two college seasons. Thomas was selected with the second pick of the final round.

Now someone the Browns once viewed as a promising young player is getting his second chance.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell and the team don’t expect the former Browns player to complement the production of one of the league’s best pass rushers. Instead, Thomas is looking for a way to contribute to the team.

If anything, it won’t be his size that will hinder his success in Detroit. The 25-year-old is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 266 pounds.

Luckily for Thomas, he won’t be entering the building as a complete stranger. He reunites with former Browns teammate Donovan Peoples-Jones. The wide receiver is currently on Detroit’s practice squad.