Source: Pro Bowl guard Zeitler plans to join Lions

Former Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl guard Kevin Zeitler intends to sign a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Zeitler is flying to Detroit on Monday night to take a physical, with the plan to formally sign Tuesday.

Zeitler has been one of the most underrated offensive linemen over the past decade, reaching his first Pro Bowl in February in his 12th NFL season.

In Detroit, he could serve as a short-term replacement for Jonah Jackson, who signed with the Los Angeles Rams in free agency.

Zeitler, who fought through knee and quad injuries toward the end of last season, finished with a 93.8% pass block win rate (10th among guards), allowing 6 sacks. He had a 61.8% run block win rate (25th among guards).

Known for his durability, Zeitler has played 12,263 snaps — the most by an offensive lineman since he entered the league as the 27th overall pick in 2012. He has participated in 91.9% of his teams’ offensive snaps over his career.

In 2021, the Ravens signed Zeitler to a three-year, $22.5 million contract to provide stability to the right guard spot. When eight-time Pro Bowl lineman Marshal Yanda retired after the 2019 season, Baltimore started three players at right guard in 2020 and all of them struggled. Over the next three seasons, Zeitler started 47 of 51 games for the Ravens.

Zeitler has spent most of his career in the AFC North, playing 182 games for the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and Ravens. He won the first playoff game of his career last season, when Baltimore beat the Houston Texans in the AFC divisional round.

ESPN’s Jamison Hensley contributed to this report.

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