DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 19: Charles Harris #53 of the Detroit Lions tackles Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at Ford Field on December 19, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
With a big first half Sunday against the Cardinals, Charles Harris is putting himself in select company in Lions history.
Over his first four NFL seasons, with the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons, Charles Harris had just 6.5 sacks as an easily tabbed first-round bust. He’s already set his career-high with six sacks for the Detroit Lions this season, his first with the team.
As the Lions led the 10-3 Arizona Cardinals 17-0 at halftime of Sunday’s game, the defense has was obviously very good against one of the better offenses in the league. The offense possessing the ball like it did, nearly 18 minutes in the first two quarters, helped.
The defensive charge has been led by Harris, with 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, five tackles and two tackles for loss in the first half.
Charles Harris has been very nice find for the Lions
Harris has been a force for a Lions pass rush that has generally otherwise been lacking this year, primarily due to injuries that sidelined Romeo Okwara and Trey Flowers. In the process, he has joined some select company in franchise history.
Harris was one of the first acquisitions last offseason for the new Lions regime, and his one-year, $1.75 million deal looked a bargain pretty quickly with a four-game sack streak earlier this season. After a multi-week lull he has gotten back in the quarterback takedown column with 3.5 sacks over the last two-and-a half games, and double-digit sacks this season feels like a foregone conclusion.
Harris is getting himself lined up for a big pay day in the offseason. The Lions should oblige with a market value offer, and maybe he’ll want to stay with the organization and coaching staff that took a chance on him and allowed him to get his career on a good track.