DeAndre Levy on Non-Football Injury List is Worrying

As the injuries mount, DeAndre Levy’s future with the Detroit Lions is in question.

There was a time that some fans legitimately wanted the Detroit Lions to re-sign Justin Durant over DeAndre Levy. At that point in his career, Levy had shown flashes of being a great player, but he wasn’t consistent. Some believed that, while the stats weren’t as flashy, Durant brought a different energy and solidity to the team. The Lions chose Levy. And they were right to.

In 2015, Levy signed one of the richest contracts for an outside linebacker to date. While a solid leader in the locker room, Levy lost the first year of his new contract to injury.

By all accounts, though, Levy was healthy and ready to play for the 2016 season. But today, the Detroit Lions placed Levy on the Non-Football Injury list. After a year lost to what was supposed to be a day-to-day injury, this is some worrying news.

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This comes at a time when Levy himself has been very vocal about players preserving their bodies and pain management. Stars are retiring earlier and earlier. In 2015, we saw the retirement of Chris Borland, a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers who would have been going into his second year.

Borland was considered to be completely healthy, so his decision took many by surprise. Maybe not to everyone, though. As David Birkett reported, Borland has spoken with DeAndre Levy on the topic, and Levy has been vocal as well. The idea that Levy may be harboring brain or recurring injuries is something that is definitely on the forefront of his mind.

And in many ways, Levy is right. The league does do much to hide the negative effects the football can have upon a young man’s life. And that’s something that many forget. These are young men.

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The effects of their careers can last for many many years. Unfortunately, it’s coming to light that football may even be cutting what should be long lives short.

And Levy may be right about pain relief. Calvin Johnson recently pointed out how easy it was to get pain killers in the NFL, describing it as “like candy.” These aren’t your typical acetaminophens and ibuprofins, either. These are highly addictive opiates.

Yes, Levy is still on the team, but don’t be surprised if he follows in Johnson, Borland and Barry Sanders‘ footsteps. The days of playing until you no longer can are looking to become a thing of the past. Retiring early may become the new norm.

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In many ways, this is a good thing. I feel for players that want to protect themselves and give themselves the best possible quality of life for the future. But the Lions and NFL teams in general must be worried.