The New York Giants made their second high-profile trade in as many days Wednesday, sending run-stuffing defensive tackle Damon Harrison to the Detroit Lions for a fifth-round draft pick, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Lions coach Matt Patricia confirmed that the Lions had been talking to the Giants but would not confirm the trade Wednesday morning because it wasn't official.
The deal comes less than 24 hours after New York traded starting cornerback Eli Apple, a former first-round draft pick, to the New Orleans Saints for a fourth-round pick in 2019 and a seventh-rounder in 2020.
Harrison and Apple may not be the only players dealt away by the Giants (1-6), who are mired in last place in the NFC East.
League sources told ESPN's Jordan Raanan on Tuesday that there is an impression around the NFL that anyone on New York's struggling defense could be available in a trade.
The Giants also waived struggling offensive tackle Ereck Flowers, another former first-round pick, earlier this month.
The 355-pound Harrison should strengthen a Detroit run defense that ranks 30th in the NFL while bolstering a defensive line that has been without star pass-rusher Ezekiel Ansah for the majority of the season because of a shoulder injury.
But Harrison also comes with a hefty price tag; the Lions will be on the hook to pay the remaining $4.1 million he is owed this season, plus $7 million in 2019 and $9.25 million in 2020. Harrison signed a five-year, $46.25 million deal with New York before the 2016 season.
Harrison, who turns 30 next month, has 31 tackles and one forced fumble in seven games this season. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in his first season with the Giants in 2016 and has recorded 386 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 92 games -- 86 starts -- over parts of seven seasons with the Giants and Jets.
Second-year pro Dalvin Tomlinson and rookie B.J. Hill are likely to handle the Giants' interior defensive line spots, backed up by veterans Josh Mauro and John Jenkins. Rookie RJ McIntosh has started practicing after spending the season on the non-football injury list.
The Lions (3-3) are within striking distance of the first-place Vikings (4-2-1) in the NFC North but have the NFL's 24th-ranked scoring defense, allowing 26.3 points per game, and have yielded 139.3 rushing yards per game.
Lions coach Matt Patricia confirmed that the Lions had been talking to the Giants but would not confirm the trade Wednesday morning because it wasn't official.
The deal comes less than 24 hours after New York traded starting cornerback Eli Apple, a former first-round draft pick, to the New Orleans Saints for a fourth-round pick in 2019 and a seventh-rounder in 2020.
Harrison and Apple may not be the only players dealt away by the Giants (1-6), who are mired in last place in the NFC East.
League sources told ESPN's Jordan Raanan on Tuesday that there is an impression around the NFL that anyone on New York's struggling defense could be available in a trade.
The Giants also waived struggling offensive tackle Ereck Flowers, another former first-round pick, earlier this month.
The 355-pound Harrison should strengthen a Detroit run defense that ranks 30th in the NFL while bolstering a defensive line that has been without star pass-rusher Ezekiel Ansah for the majority of the season because of a shoulder injury.
But Harrison also comes with a hefty price tag; the Lions will be on the hook to pay the remaining $4.1 million he is owed this season, plus $7 million in 2019 and $9.25 million in 2020. Harrison signed a five-year, $46.25 million deal with New York before the 2016 season.
Harrison, who turns 30 next month, has 31 tackles and one forced fumble in seven games this season. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in his first season with the Giants in 2016 and has recorded 386 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 92 games -- 86 starts -- over parts of seven seasons with the Giants and Jets.
Second-year pro Dalvin Tomlinson and rookie B.J. Hill are likely to handle the Giants' interior defensive line spots, backed up by veterans Josh Mauro and John Jenkins. Rookie RJ McIntosh has started practicing after spending the season on the non-football injury list.
The Lions (3-3) are within striking distance of the first-place Vikings (4-2-1) in the NFC North but have the NFL's 24th-ranked scoring defense, allowing 26.3 points per game, and have yielded 139.3 rushing yards per game.
