Lions Lose Key Defensive Player for Entire 2025 Season
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The Detroit Lions had one of the stingier defenses in the NFL last season, and that was thanks, in part, to the strong play of the team's defensive line.
Detroit allowed the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game (98.4) and seventh-fewest points per game in the league (20.1) because of a solid defensive line that included defensive tackles Alim McNeil and D.J. Reader, plus defensive ends Aidan Hutchinson and Josh Paschal.
Hutchinson is on the mend after suffering a broken tibia and fibula against the Dallas Cowboys back in Week 6 — he's on track to return to be ready for Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers — but the defensive line suffered a major blow on Sunday.
Head coach Dan Campbell in formed reporters that defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike would miss the entire 2025 season after offseason ACL surgery.
"Levi is out for the year," Campbell said. "Levi's surgery was significant, but it needed to be done. [It was] out of his control and it needed to be done, so he will miss the season."
Onwuzurike is the second prominent loss for the Lions' defensive line this offseason.
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Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after a sack with Levi Onwuzurike #91 during the third quarter in the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 07, 2024 in Detroit,...
Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after a sack with Levi Onwuzurike #91 during the third quarter in the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 07, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. MoreDefensive end John Cominsky surprised many when he retired at the age of 29 back in March, citing a series of injuries as his reason why.
Onwuzurike started 10 games last season, logging 28 tackles—20 of which came on run-stopping plays—15 runs tops, 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss, and one forced fumble.
The 27-year-old edge-rusher also led the Lions in pressures (47), QB hits (14), and pass-rushing snaps (447), he ranked second in hurries (30), and he had the second-best pass-rush win rate (11.9%) among defensive linemen who played in 10 or more games, per Pro Football Focus.
"You don't like to lose anybody," Campbell said. "Certainly, losing Levi, that hurts, but it helps that we've got (rookie defensive lineman) Tyleik (Williams), so we've got a little bit of balance here."
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In addition to Williams, a former Ohio State star who the Lions took with the 28th overall pick in April's draft, the Lions also drafted Boise State defensive end Ahmed Hassanein in the sixth round, plus they added former Arizona Cardinals defensive end Roy Lopez in free agency.
If the Lions turn to the free-agent market to find a replacement for Onwuzurike, they could look at bringing in players like Matthew Judon, Preston Smith, DeMarcus Walker, Za'Darius Smith, and Jadeveon Clowney.
A reunion with Smith wouldn't be completely out of left field. The 32-year-old three-time Pro Bowler totaled 40 pressures, 30 hurries, five QB hits, and four sacks, per PFF, in eight games with the Lions last season after playing the first nine games, and recording five sacks, with the Cleveland Browns.
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