Al-Quadin Muhammad Bio
Al-Quadin Muhammad (born March 28, 1995) is an American professional football defensive end currently playing for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). A native of Irvington, New Jersey, he played college football at the University of Miami before being selected by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Muhammad has since played for multiple NFL franchises, building a career as a pass-rushing defensive end.
Standing 6 ft 3 in and listed at 250 lb, Muhammad wears jersey No. 96 for the Detroit Lions and is recognized for his length, leverage, and ability to disrupt opposing backfields. Across his professional career, he has accumulated 26.0 sacks, 193 total tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 2 pass deflections, and 1 fumble recovery.
Early Life and Background
Al-Quadin Muhammad was born on March 28, 1995, in Irvington, New Jersey. He grew up in New Jersey and attended Paterson Catholic High School in Paterson, but the school closed after his freshman year. The shutdown forced him to transfer and continue his football development elsewhere.
Muhammad then enrolled at Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, New Jersey, where he developed into a four-star defensive end recruit. He was ranked as the No. 1 NFL prospect in the state of New Jersey, an evaluation that reflected his combination of size, athleticism, and pass-rushing potential.
Path to American Football
Following his senior season at Don Bosco Prep, Muhammad committed to the University of Miami in 2013 to play for the Miami Hurricanes. As a freshman he appeared in five games, recording 6 tackles and 2.0 sacks, showing early signs of his disruptive potential along the defensive line.
His path included significant setbacks. Muhammad was handed a season-long suspension after an altercation involving a former roommate following Miami’s spring game, causing him to miss the entire 2014 season. He returned in 2015 and played in 12 games, finishing with 54 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks. In 2016, he was suspended and later dismissed from the football program along with teammate Jermaine Grace for his role in a luxury rental car scandal that violated NCAA rules, ending his college career before the draft.
Al-Quadin Muhammad Career
Early Career (2017)
Al-Quadin Muhammad entered the NFL when the New Orleans Saints selected him in the sixth round, 196th overall, of the 2017 NFL Draft. He made his professional debut in Week 1 of the 2017 NFL season against the Minnesota Vikings, beginning his career on a defensive line looking to develop young pass rushers.
His time in New Orleans was brief. On September 1, 2018, Muhammad was waived by the Saints, closing his first professional chapter after a single season and positioning him to seek a fresh opportunity elsewhere.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2018–2021)
On September 2, 2018, Muhammad was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts. His Colts tenure began with movement between the practice squad and active roster; he was waived on October 4, 2018, re-signed to the practice squad, and then promoted to the active roster on October 13, 2018, settling into a depth role along the defensive line.
One of the most memorable moments of his first Colts stint came in Week 10 of the 2020 season against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football, when Muhammad was ejected from the game after punching offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo. He re-signed with the Colts on April 1, 2021, continuing his role as a rotational defensive end in Indianapolis.
Chicago Bears Era (2022)
On March 20, 2022, Muhammad signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Bears, joining a defense in the middle of a transition. The move offered him a fresh setting to expand his responsibilities as a situational pass rusher.
His time in Chicago ended when he was released on February 21, 2023, closing a single-season stint with the Bears and returning him to free agency.
Indianapolis Colts Return (2023)
On July 25, 2023, Muhammad signed a one-year contract to return to the Indianapolis Colts. He was released on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad, continuing his pattern of working back from the practice squad to the active roster.
On December 6, 2023, Muhammad was suspended for six games without pay by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on Performance Enhancing Drugs. He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season, and his contract expired, making him a free agent.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2024)
On August 1, 2024, Muhammad signed with the Dallas Cowboys, joining a competitive defensive line in training camp. The opportunity gave him a chance to compete for a roster spot on a contender.
His time in Dallas was short. Muhammad was released on August 28, 2024, shortly after signing, ending his brief association with the Cowboys before the regular season began.
Detroit Lions Era (2024–Present)
On October 7, 2024, Muhammad signed with the Detroit Lions practice squad, then was promoted to the active roster on November 9. In 9 appearances with 2 starts for Detroit, he logged 1 pass deflection, 3.0 sacks, and 11 combined tackles, quickly establishing himself as a contributor on the Lions’ defensive front.
On March 19, 2025, Muhammad re-signed with the Lions, securing his place on the roster. In Week 14, he recorded three sacks, three tackles, three tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits in a 44-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys, a performance that earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Driving Style and Strengths
Muhammad is listed at 6 ft 3 in and 250 lb, giving him the frame of a traditional 4-3 defensive end with the length to challenge offensive tackles. His game emphasizes leverage, hand usage, and pursuit, allowing him to function as both a base end and a situational pass rusher. Through nine appearances with the Lions, he produced 3.0 sacks and consistent pressure, suggesting he had found a scheme fit in Detroit.
Notable Events and Milestones
His most notable milestone came in Week 14 of the 2025 season, when his three-sack performance against the Dallas Cowboys earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Earlier in his career, he recorded 5.0 sacks in his 2015 season at the University of Miami, establishing the pass-rushing profile that led to his NFL opportunity.
Al-Quadin Muhammad Career Wins
Al-Quadin Muhammad’s professional resume is built on consistent production as a rotational pass rusher across multiple NFL stops. Since being drafted in 2017, he has appeared for the New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and Detroit Lions, accumulating 26.0 career sacks, 193 total tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 2 pass deflections, and 1 fumble recovery.
Detroit Lions Highlights
Since joining the Detroit Lions in October 2024, Muhammad has delivered some of the most productive stretches of his career. In 9 appearances with 2 starts, he tallied 3.0 sacks and 11 combined tackles, finishing the 2024 season on an upward trajectory. His most recent headline performance came in Week 14 with three sacks against the Dallas Cowboys, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week for 2025.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his Detroit tenure, Muhammad’s strongest statistical college season came in 2015 at the University of Miami, when he posted 54 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks across 12 games. Across multiple NFL stops, he has remained a reliable depth defensive end and practice-squad elevation candidate, with 26.0 career sacks through the 2025 season.
Al-Quadin Muhammad Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Al-Quadin Muhammad’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in Irvington, New Jersey, and pursued his football career through New Jersey high schools before committing to the University of Miami in 2013.
Personal Life
There are no widely confirmed public details about Al-Quadin Muhammad’s marital status, spouse, or children. His residence is not publicly listed, and his personal life outside of football remains largely private.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season has marked a clear career chapter for Al-Quadin Muhammad with the Detroit Lions. After re-signing with the team on March 19, 2025, he secured his spot on the defensive line and worked into a pass-rushing role for Detroit’s defense.
His standout moment arrived in Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys, when Muhammad recorded three sacks, three tackles, three tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits in a 44-30 win. That performance earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week and underlined his value as a pressure-generating defensive end.
With the Lions competing in the NFC playoff picture, Muhammad’s role as a rotational pass rusher provides Detroit with another interior-edge threat. His 2025 production, highlighted by his Week 14 breakout, suggests continued opportunity within the Lions’ defensive scheme as the season progresses.