Dan Campbell Gives Big Lions Injury News Ahead of Huge Bills Game
By Joe Summers
Lions head coach Dan Campbell announced a major piece of injury news on Monday following a Thursday Night Football victory against the Packers, suggesting that two key players could return next Sunday to take on the Bills.
Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill, both of whom were recent high draft picks by the organization, missed last week but could come back for perhaps the biggest game on Detroit's schedule.
Neither player is a major factor for the team but depth matters and these respective returns would provide a big boost against one of the best teams in the NFL.
Lions HC Dan Campbell Announces Big Week 15 Injury News
#Lions coach Dan Campbell says Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill could return for Sunday's game vs. the Bills. Declines to expand on most of Detroit's injured players.
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) December 9, 2024
Feeling "much more positive, everyone's healing up," but no real clarity until Thursday, he said.
Onwuzurike and McNeill were drafted in the second and third rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft respectively. They're both starters who have played more than 50% of the snaps this year. Given the littany of injuries Detroit has dealt with on the defensive side of the ball, getting these players back is big news.
The Lions have the inside track to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC and are the betting favorites to win the Super Bowl for good reason. This is a complete team with excellent depth and playmakers in every facet of the game.
That said, injuries to guys like Aidan Hutchinson have damaged the overall outlook. Detroit has still crushed opponents, yet it's easy to see those ailments add up once the playoffs hit and the competition becomes more difficult.
Campbell did not outright declare that either player would be back on Sunday, though his comments suggest they'll be healthy when the games truly matter. A win over the Bills would cement the Lions' status as the best team in the NFL, making Sunday a monumental matchup for what's become the most popular team in the league.
We'll find out from Thursday's injury report whether either player can suit up. Based on these comments though, it sounds like Detroit expects some reinforcements on Sunday.
As it stands, the Lions are 1.5-point home favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook. Since they're playing at home, the offense presumably gets an upgrade relative to expectations should they have battled in snowy conditions on the road.
If Jared Goff can lead this team to a victory over the vaunted Bills, it could flip the MVP race while simultaneously proving Detroit is the team to beat with just a few weeks left in the regular season.
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