The Detroit Lions have already lost a defender for the season with rookie Ahmed Hassanein suffering a pectoral injury. The defensive end was a sixth-round selection and not expected to factor into the starting lineup. Still, it is a frustrating loss for a team that is all too familiar with season-ending injuries. Last year still haunts Detroit fans who had every reason to believe the franchise's long Super Bowl drought was poised to end.
However, injuries ended these hopes with the defense unable to slow down the Washington Commanders in the second round. With this in mind, even a minor depth injury is going to catch the attention of Detroit fans. It is an early frustration and hopefully not a sign of things to come. Hassanein was having a solid enough camp to be in the mix for the bottom of the depth chart, but not someone expected to play meaningful snaps.
While you never want to see anyone suffer an injury, it does make it a little more bearable that it isn't one of Detroit's star players. Dan Campbell has been far more careful with his guys, understanding the value of preseason reps vs. the risk. It hasn't been a surprise to see the focus remain on making it into the 2025 season as healthy as possible.
Ahmed Hassanein posts on Instagram Stories that he doesn’t need surgery, “just time to heal.”
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) August 18, 2025
“I’ll be back. Hungrier, than I ever been.” pic.twitter.com/8xsAIONMHe
Injured Lions Defender Offers Promising Update
According to Ahmed Hassanein himself, the defender won't require surgery and is on the road to recovery. Hassanein posted on Instagram letting fans know that he wouldn't need to undergo surgery while focusing on his faith in a heartfelt post. Perhaps the most eye-catching part of the post was the ending with the defender offering his intention, “I’ll be back. Hungrier than I ever been.”
For the Lions, this is good news that the injury isn't expected to linger into the 2026 season. Undergoing surgery would have brought up a whole new wave of questions about the rookie's timeline of recovery. Being able to focus on rehab and working towards next season is exactly the news Lions fans were hoping for in the current situation.
Looking ahead, Detroit's rookie class still appears poised to have an instant impact, even with the loss of the pass rusher. The front office has done an incredible job of piecing together a roster that is finally close to healthy and appears ready to make another run at earning the first Lombardi in franchise history.