Breaking down the Lions PUP/NFI list moves to start training camp
To refresh, PUP (physically unable to perform) means the injury is football-related. NFI is a non-football injury which could mean anything. Last year, Christian Mahogany missed all of camp on NFI due to mono.
Just as important as who is on the lists is who is NOT on the lists. Their absence from the lists means they are healthy and ready-to-go.
Not on PUP/NFI
Now let's review the players on PUP/NFI:
Levi Onwuzurike - Reserve PUP
Reserve PUP means he will miss at least the first four regular season games. This one is significant as it's definitely at least a multi-month issue - and possibly much longer. The soonest he could play is October 5 vs the Bengals, but don't hold your breath to see him then.
Onwuzurike has a history of an L5-S1 spinal fusion in 2022 which is rare to come back from. To his credit, he had a reliable last season missing only one game due to a hamstring. Towards the end of the season, there may have been a right knee/ankle issue.
For him to still be at least two months away after an entire offseason suggests he could have had a significant surgery or a major setback.
Taylor Decker - PUP
Last season, Decker had a rotator cuff, pec strain, and MCL/ankle sprain. None of those injuries appeared overly concerning and he only missed three total games. He was a full participant at OTA last month which is a hopeful sign that there isn't anything serious going on.
The prior offseason he had some surprise surgeries including an ankle deltoid ligament repair and a toe sesamoidectomy. The toe is something that may need to be managed the rest of his career.
Khalil Dorsey - PUP
It's no surprise or setback to see Dorsey on PUP. He has a good chance to be physically ready sometime this camp, but even if he's ready, the team might keep him on PUP into the season for roster management.
Miles Frazier - PUP
Frazier was seemingly healthy coming out of college so this is a surprise. He was limited at OTA but there were no indications of concern.
Alim McNeill - PUP
No surprise or concern here as he was fully expected to start on PUP. He'll likely be on PUP into the season.
Malcolm Rodriguez - PUP
Like McNeill, no surprise here. Rodriguez will also likely be on PUP into the season.
Mekhi Wingo - PUP
Wingo had a good chance to avoid PUP so his inclusion is a disappointment. A presumed meniscus repair would likely be ready by now. Hopefully, his PUP stint is brief.
Josh Paschal - NFI
Paschal has some significant, non-football medical history. Last season, he missed two games due to a shoulder mass excision. In 2018, Paschal was diagnosed with melanoma.
On the field, he missed one game due to a right knee last season.
Stantley Thomas-Oliver - NFI
Thomas-Oliver only appeared in one game last season with the Lions - Week 18. He played five special teams snaps that day. Presumably, something happened this offseason.
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