Germany’s Kasim Edebali headed to Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have picked up linebacker Kasim Edebali from Hamburg, Germany after he was surprisingly put on waivers by the Denver Broncos.

The Lions announced this week that they have been awarded Edebali via waivers from Denver and waived DE George Johnson to make room.

The 28 year old Edebali, 6’3″, 253 lbs, appeared in nine games with the Broncos this season mostly on special teams. While Edebali played less than 10 percent of the defensive snaps in his time for the Broncos, he was one of only five players to have played at least 60 percent of the special teams plays. Prior to this season, he spent three years (2014-16) with the New Orleans Saints, playing in 48 games with the two starts.

Currently in his fourth season, Edebali’s career totals include 41 tackles (30 solo), eight sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 57 games. He originally entered the NFL with the Saints in 2014 as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Boston College. After spending three years with the New Orleans Saints, Edebali was signed earlier this year by Denver.

Otherwise, Edebali’s journey would be a dream for a European player. A decade ago, Edebali was a teenage quarterback with the Hamburg Huskies in northern Germany. He hoped he might become good enough to one day play for the hometown Sea Devils in NFL Europe. After NFL Europe folded in 2007, he found his way to Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire as an international exchange student for his junior and senior years of high school after laboriously sending out game film to schools across the United States.

After being converted to linebacker/defensive end, he performed well enough to earn a scholarship from Boston College and his football career took off.

The Detroit Lions are currently second in the NFC North division with a 5-4 record with seven games remaining in the regular season.