Za'Darius Smith was traded from the Cleveland Browns to the Lions and one of his first tasks was to secure his preferred jersey number, 99. However, getting that number came at a cost. The number was available, but only because Lions defensive tackle Brodric Martin, who was listed as the holder of No. 99, has yet to play this season. If Martin had been active, the NFL would not have permitted him to change his jersey number, meaning 99 wouldn’t have been an option for Smith.
Speaking to reporters in Detroit on Friday, Smith shared that he had been offered numbers in the 60s, 70s, or 80s, but he immediately rejected those options. "I was like, no way," Smith said.
"When I asked who had No. 99, they told me who it was, and we looked his number up and called him real quick. I’m thankful to him. A guy from Alabama, Tuscaloosa, had a chance to talk to him for a little while, and I had to pay up a little bit, but all is well. I got No. 99 now," added Smith.
When asked about the cost of securing a jersey number in the NFL, Smith didn’t give an exact figure but hinted it was between $1,000 and $9,000.
"The going rate? There’s three zeros on the end of it, I’m not going to tell you the exact price, but for sure, he’s going to have some good money," Smith concluded.
Smith is now wearing the same No. 99 he sported during his time with the Browns.
Injury concerns for lions
As for the Lions’ Week 10 matchup against the Texans, they will be without their starting left tackle, Taylor Decker, who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. Decker was added to the injury report on Thursday after being limited in practice and didn’t participate on Friday. Head coach Dan Campbell noted that the issue doesn’t seem serious, but it’s enough to keep Decker sidelined for Sunday’s game.
Meanwhile, Za'Darius Smith, who joined the team in a deadline trade, is listed as questionable. He participated fully in practice on Friday, but the team has yet to decide if he will play against the Texans.
In addition to Decker and Smith, several other Lions players will miss Week 10 due to injury: defensive lineman Brodric Martin (knee), linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck), safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle), cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (pectoral), and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle).