The\u00a0Detroit Lions\u00a0reunited with rookie edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein a few days back, but the Lions weren’t the only team interested in his services.<\/p>\n
Hassanein told reporters that every other team in the NFL called with interest in adding him to their practice squad, but he rebuffed them all.<\/p>\n
The sixth-round pick said he was never going anywhere but back to the Lions, which shows an incredible level of loyalty to the team that drafted him.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy agent was kinda handling all that,\u201d Hassanein said, per\u00a0Ryan Mathews of Pride of Detroit. \u201cHe was telling me, \u2018Oh, 31 (teams) was wanting you on their practice squad,\u2019 because I don\u2019t count (on the roster) as a (international) player.<\/p>\n
“So I went, \u2018Man, I\u2019m not going anywhere. I want to stay here, because these people believe in me, and I\u2019m going to give it all I\u2019ve got.\u2019 Because loyalty is a big thing for me. I\u2019m honored.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hassanein appeared in three of the Lions’ four preseason games and showed some promise, which led to a fair amount of hype for him ahead of the season.<\/p>\n
The rookie finished with five tackles, three run stops and two pressures while also posting\u00a0Pro Football Focus\u00a0grades of 73.5 overall, 69.0 in run defense, 74.9 in tackling and 66.3 in the pass-rush.<\/p>\n
However, Hassanein\u00a0suffered a pectoral injury\u00a0in preseason Week 2 that forced him to miss time. The Lions rolled the dice and waived him with an injury settlement with the hope he would return to the team later in the season.<\/p>\n
It was a risky move at the time because not only did the Lions risk losing him to another team, they were also in need of edge rusher depth.<\/p>\n
Hassanein will now provide depth to a Lions edge rusher group that has been better than expected this season. Detroit enters Week 11 with 30 sacks, which ranks fourth in the NFL.<\/p>\n
Aidan Hutchinson (seven) and Al-Quadin Muhammad (six) havecombined for 13 of those sacks. Detroit will also be welcoming back Marcus Davenport soon, as the veteran was\u00a0designated to return from injured reserve on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Santa Clara, California \u2013 November 13, 2025<\/em> \u2013 Amid swirling controversy surrounding Brock Purdy\u2019s potential return to the field, a powerful and unexpected voice has risen to defend the embattled quarterback. NFL legend Rob Gronkowski, a player not typically associated with the San Francisco 49ers, has become an unlikely champion for Purdy at a time when the young signal-caller’s future with the 49ers hangs in the balance.<\/p>\n Purdy, who has been sidelined with an injury, has faced mounting criticism regarding his readiness for the upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals. As the debate intensifies, a significant portion of 49ers fans and analysts are skeptical about his return. Questions surrounding his full recovery have been raised, with many wondering if he is truly fit to lead the 49ers back into contention. The team\u2019s backup quarterback, QB2, has also impressed during Purdy\u2019s absence, earning the trust of both the coaching staff and fans. With this in mind, some fear that Purdy\u2019s return is being driven more by the weight of expectation than actual physical preparedness.<\/p>\n Enter Rob Gronkowski, the larger-than-life former tight end who has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, even on issues outside of his usual domain. In a rare statement regarding Purdy, Gronkowski expressed his support with a powerful message that instantly resonated across the sports world.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s happening to Brock Purdy is an injustice to football,\u201d Gronkowski declared, his voice filled with passion and conviction. \u201cPeople forget that this young man once carried his team when no one believed in him \u2014 that he rose from adversity and fought with his entire heart. You don\u2019t judge a warrior just because he falls once.\u201d<\/p>\n Gronkowski\u2019s words quickly reverberated through social media, sparking a wave of support for Purdy from 49ers fans and analysts alike. The statement was shared thousands of times, with many fans thanking Gronkowski for his bold defense of their quarterback. It was a reminder of Purdy\u2019s resilience, his journey from undrafted rookie to one of the NFL\u2019s most promising quarterbacks, and his unwavering commitment to the 49ers\u2019 Super Bowl aspirations.<\/p>\n The timing of Gronkowski\u2019s remarks could not have been more crucial. With uncertainty hanging over Purdy\u2019s return, his injury, and the team\u2019s Super Bowl hopes, Gronkowski\u2019s impassioned defense has altered the narrative. The conversation has shifted from skepticism to loyalty, with 49ers Nation rallying behind Purdy, not just as a player, but as a symbol of perseverance and dedication.<\/p>\n As Gronkowski aptly put it, \u201cThis is not the time for blame \u2014 this is the time for loyalty.\u201d His words have not only helped shift the perspective on Purdy\u2019s injury but have also galvanized a fan base that was once divided.<\/p>\n The upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals has now become much more than a simple football match. It is a test of Purdy\u2019s physical readiness, yes, but also a deeper test of faith. The 49ers will face their division rivals with more than just playoff implications on the line. They will be fighting for the belief in their leader, and as Gronkowski\u2019s stirring words suggest, this battle is about far more than X\u2019s and O\u2019s\u2014it\u2019s about loyalty, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of a quarterback who has proven time and time again that he is more than capable of rising to the occasion.<\/p>\n With Gronkowski\u2019s unexpected support echoing through the halls of 49ers Nation, one thing is certain: this team stands united behind Brock Purdy. The rest, as they say, will be history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The\u00a0Detroit Lions\u00a0reunited with rookie edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein a few days back, but the Lions weren’t the only team interested in his services. Hassanein told reporters that every other team in the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7318","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-breaking-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t