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Detroit Lions tweaking defense; assistants Kelvin Sheppard, Todd Wash to take bigger roles

INDIANAPOLIS — The Detroit Lions are realigning some of their coaching staff to help with a schematic change coming to their defense this fall.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday at the NFL combine that the Lions will maintain three-down principles on their defensive line but will move to "a little more of a four-down type" defense.

The Lions played out of both three- and four-down lineman looks last season, when their edge pass rushers often rushed from a stand-up outside linebacker position.

The Lions' sack leader from last season, Charles Harris, excelled in the defense and is scheduled to hit free agency later this month.