The Detroit Lions are hurting along the interior of their defensive line. Fans knew defensive tackle Alim McNeill would start the season on injured reserve after tearing his ACL last year. However, they weren't expecting Levi Onwuzurike to be ruled out for the year at the start of training camp.
Onwuzurike's injury means the Lions will have to rely on rookie Tyleik Williams and veterans Roy Lopez, Mekhi Wingo, and Pat O'Connor to replace McNeil to begin the year. That said, McNeill provided an encouraging update on his health Thursday afternoon.
According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the 25-year-old said, " He didn't want to put a timetable on his return". Even so, he went on to say, "He will, for sure, be back before Thanksgiving, and that watching his teammates practice against the Texans made him even more anxious to get on the field."
Alim McNeill Provides Positive Update on Injury Return Timeline
McNeill's comments on when he expects to return should excite Lions fans. Typically, ACL injuries have around a nine-month recovery period, but it could vary based on the player. McNeill suffered his injury on December 15, 2024, so the earliest he could return would be in September or October.
The 25-year-old saying he will be back before Thanksgiving means he's on schedule for a normal return. This is great news, given that some may expect a defensive tackle to have a longer recovery time.
Nevertheless, this is great news for Detroit's defensive line. Last year, McNeill recorded 25 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three and a half sacks, three quarterback hits, 38 QB hurries, and 45 QB pressures. Moreover, he finished his season with a 77.1 pass rush grade and a 64.5 run defense grade, according to PFF.
Having a disruptive presence in the middle of the defensive line, like that, return sooner rather than later is what the Lions need. With reports from training camp that both Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport were creating havoc, adding McNeill back in the mix will only make it more difficult for opposing quarterbacks.
Beyond that, McNeill’s return could also spark more turnovers for the secondary, as consistent pressure often leads to rushed throws and mistakes. For a Lions team with postseason aspirations, having their star defensive tackle healthy and contributing before Thanksgiving could make a major difference in their push for another playoff run.