NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo is reporting that the Detroit Lions are signing journeyman offensive lineman Oday Aboushi to a one-year contract.
A left tackle at Virginia, Aboushi was drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL draft. He didn’t see the field as a rookie but started 10 games at left guard in 2014, was released in 2015 and was claimed the Houston Texans. He would start eight games at left and right guard over the next two seasons.
In 2017, Aboushi joined the Seattle Seahawks, where he started eight games at right guard for the Lions current offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.
Last season, Aboushi was a final cut before the regular season by the Oakland Raiders and was out of football the next month and a half. He joined the Arizona Cardinals mid-season after multiple injuries to their offensive line. It wasn’t long before he was given the nod to start at right guard for six of the final seven games, exceeding expectations and proving very effective in pass blocking.
Aboushi will likely be in competition for a role at the Lions open right guard position — as a starter or reserve — challenging Kenny Wiggins, potentially Tyrell Crosby, Joe Dahl, and more than likely a player selected in the NFL draft. It would be surprising if the Lions felt comfortable heading into the season at right guard, but adding a veteran swing guard like Aboushi gives them more depth/competition and won’t force their hand in the draft.
