With a defense in flux heading into the 2015 season, the Lions made sure to lock down star linebacker DeAndre Levy to a four-year extension worth $33.7 million.
On Tuesday, they sent Levy, arguably their best defensive player, to the injured reserve.
The Lions announced the move and the corresponding transaction -- the signing of James-Michael Johnson to the 53-man roster.
Levy was a force in Teryl Austin's defense a year ago but never had the chance to prove it again in 2015. He played just a handful of snaps this year before undergoing a corrective hip surgery in October. The 28-year-old will be spared the rest of this arduous Lions season and could potentially return to a new defense altogether.