Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Lions found help for their sagging pass rush with one former Cleveland Browns linebacker earlier this year. Now, they're hoping to strike gold twice.

The Lions claimed Corey Lemonier off waivers from the Browns on Thursday and waived undrafted rookie cornerback Adairius Barnes.

Lemonier had two sacks in eight games with the Browns this year, or as many as the Lions have had collectively the past four games.

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The Lions are tied for second-to-last in the NFL with 22 sacks this year, and they've struggled to get to opposing quarterbacks in the second half of the season with Ziggy Ansah battling injuries.

Ansah missed three games earlier this year with a high ankle sprain and was limited in last week's win over the Chicago Bears by a shoulder injury. After missing practice Wednesday, Ansah, who's sack-less on the season, returned on a limited basis Thursday.

Kerry Hyder leads the Lions with eight sacks, Devin Taylor has 4.5 and Armonty Bryant (three) is the only other Lion with more than two sacks.

The Lions claimed Bryant off waivers from the Browns earlier this year, but he suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this month against the New Orleans Saints.

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Barnes, an undrafted rookie out of Louisiana Tech, made his first career start against the Bears. With Barnes on waivers, the Lions likely will use the newly-acquired Asa Jackson as their nickel cornerback Sunday against the New York Giants.

Jackson, who signed off the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, split time with Barnes in his first game as a Lion last week.

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

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