The Detroit Lions' 30th ranked rushing defense just got a major boost.
The Lions have acquired defensive tackle Damon Harrison from the New York Giants via trade for an undisclosed draft pick. The trade became official Thursday morning.
Harrison, 29, is ranked fourth among all interior defensive linemen this year against the run by Pro Football Focus. He was the best run defender in the NFL last season, and has led all interior defenders in run stuffs in each of the last five seasons. He's currently second in that category this year.
The 355-pound Harrison has been among the best interior defensive linemen against the run since entering the league in 2012 with the New York Jets. He has 31 tackles in seven games this season. He's recorded at least 55 tackles in each of his last five seasons, and has played in all 16 games in each of those seasons.
The Lions (3-3) currently have the 30th ranked run defense, allowing on average 139.3 yards per game. They've given up a league-high four rushes of 40-plus yards and are giving up an NFL worst 5.32 yards per carry.
View photos from Detroit Lions practice on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018.
Detroit Lions cornerback Dee Virgin (30) warms up during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Teez Tabor (31) warms up during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) warms up during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) warms up during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Lenzy Pipkins (41) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kenny Wiggins (79) smiles during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) smiles during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard T.J. Lang (76) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Brandon Powell (10) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Hakeem Valles (84) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard T.J. Lang (76) and Detroit Lions center/guard Graham Glasgow (60) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Brandon Powell (10) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Levine Toilolo (87) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Michael Roberts (80) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back LeGarrette Blount (29) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Brandon Powell (10) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver TJ Jones (13) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) takes the handoff during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Dee Virgin (30) on special teams during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Joel Bouagnon (36) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Joel Bouagnon (36) takes the handoff from Detroit Lions quarterback Jake Rudock (14) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) and Detroit Lions wide receiver coach Robert Prince during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Luke Willson (82) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Luke Willson (82) and Detroit Lions tight end Levine Toilolo (87) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Rick Wagner (71) and Detroit Lions guard T.J. Lang (76) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Offensive Line coach Jeff Davidson during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) high-fives Detroit Lions guard Joe Dahl (66) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby (65) and Detroit Lions tight end Michael Roberts (80) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Cassel (8) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Joe Dahl (66) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Luke Willson (82) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) runs a route during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive end Eric Lee (55) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive end Eric Lee (55) during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Harrison should immediately help Detroit's run defense numbers, and if the Lions also get Ziggy Ansah (shoulder) back soon, it's an area where we could see the most significant improvement from this team moving forward.
With the addition of Harrison, the Lions now have two players (Da'Shawn Hand) currently graded in the top 10 among all interior defenders in the NFL by PFF.
Harrison is signed through the 2020 season, so he'll likely be a staple in the center of Detroit's defense beyond just the rest of this year.
The trade comes at a good time for the Lions, who face the sixth ranked rushing offense in the NFL this week when the Seattle Seahawks come to Ford Field Sunday.
Asked about the potential addition of Harrison to the Lions roster on Wednesday, Seattle head coach Pete Carroll was impressed by the move.
"Snacks (Harrison's nickname) has been a big timer for a long time," Carroll said in a conference call. "He's a good football player. Big presence. Really good against the run game and disruptive in pass rush, too. It's a great get for them."
Carroll even joked he hoped Harrison would take his time getting to Detroit, so he wouldn't have to face him Sunday.
"Maybe he can drive or something, get there on Saturday or something," he said. "That's the best thing that'll happen for us is if he arrives maybe on Saturday."
