Last season, injuries dashed the Detroit Lions’ hopes of a Super Bowl run, and this year’s start has already been challenging for their defense. Defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike will miss the entire 2025-26 season due to a torn ACL, according to head coach Dan Campbell, who described the injury as severe. Onwuzurike has already undergone surgery to address the damage.
The Lions had previously lost defensive tackle Alim McNeill, who also tore his ACL in a Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills last season. McNeill begins this season unable to play, though he is expected to return by the end of the year.
Onwuzurike, 27, has battled injuries since the Lions selected him in the 2021 draft from Washington. He missed the whole 2022 season after undergoing spinal fusion surgery for a back injury. However, in the 2024-25 season, he managed to play 16 games and start in 10.
Despite these setbacks, Campbell remains optimistic about the Lions’ defensive line depth. The team drafted Ohio State defensive tackle Tyreke Williams in the first round (28th overall), who recorded 46 tackles and 2.5 sacks in his senior year with the Buckeyes.
“You don’t like losing anyone,” Campbell said to the Detroit Free Press. “Losing Levi is certainly painful, but having Tyreke helps balance things out. Overall, I think we’re pretty good. I like the guys in that room and I believe we have many players ready to step up.”
Roy Lopez, Pat O’Connor, and Chris Smith are expected to contribute as defensive tackles moving forward. Meanwhile, the Lions plan to bring back Aidan Hutchinson to the edge after recovering from a broken leg, pairing him with Marcus Davenport. The team is also exploring the possibility of bringing back Zadarius Smith, who was traded and later released last season, and is reportedly in talks with veteran edge rusher Matthew Judon.
Fan Take: This news highlights the resilience and depth challenges of the Lions’ defense, which will be crucial in maintaining competitiveness. For NFL fans, how Detroit navigates these injuries could influence defensive strategies and player utilization across the league this season.
