After having their 2024 season and Super Bowl hopes derailed by countless injuries, Detroit Lions fans were hoping that things would be different in 2025. The Lions did a good job of bringing in new guys (draft and free agency), while also re-signing players to make sure they have the necessary depth to compete this season.
However, things haven’t gone well for the Lions in the injury department. Last week, the Lions lost second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. to a season-ending shoulder injury. Then Detroit saw safety Morice Norris suffer a frightening injury in its recent preseason game, and the Lions had three players placed on season-ending IR.
As you can imagine, Lions fans are on edge and cannot take for another player to go down with an injury. On Monday, Detroit rookie and fan favorite defensive end Ahmed Hassanein suffered a brief injury scare at practice, but appears to be okay.
Hassanein was limping as practice ended, but walked inside the facility on his own. Said he was alright as he passed by.
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) August 11, 2025
Lions Rookie DE Ahmed Hassanein Exits Practice with Lower Leg Injury
According to Colton Pouncey of The Athletic, Hassanein left Monday’s practice early with what was described as a lower leg injury. However, Pouncey added minutes later that the young pass rusher was limping, but told reporters he was alright.
If you are the Lions' coaches and fans, you are taking a huge sigh of relief that the rookie did not sustain a serious injury. Given Detroit’s current depth on the edge, they cannot afford for anyone to get hurt over the next few weeks.
If you look at the team’s initial depth chart, the former Boise State star is listed as a third-string pass rusher behind Marcus Davenport and Josh Pascal. Hassanein had two tackles in Detroit’s latest preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Lions are banking on Davenport to stay healthy, who only appeared in two games due to a torn triceps injury. If the vet can do that, it will help everyone else on the defensive line, including the rookie.
At the same time, Detroit needs to prepare to take a committee approach to get many guys on the field opposite of Aidan Hutchinson. Most teams rotate defensive linemen to keep them fresh, and the Lions won't be any different.
However, we need to get to Week 1 in September and hope that no one else gets hit with the injury bug any time soon.