Latest news with #Onwuzurike
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Lions rraining camp Day 2 medical updates: Rakestraw, Decker, Vaki and more
Here are my training camp Day 2 medical updates including some analysis of Dan Campbell quotes from his press conference. Ennis Rakestraw - chest contusion "He'll be out a few days but structurally everything looks pretty good." This confirms the early diagnosis of a benign chest contusion (bruise). Rakestraw can practice as soon as he's comfortable, starting with non-contact activities to prevent further trauma. I think there is a good chance he's playing in the first or second preseason game. Levi Onwuzurike - ACL "This is something that crept up... once the season's done, it's the normal aches and pains. Then probably a month, a month and a half, after he signed, his knee's bothering him." As I suspected yesterday, Onwuzurike's ACL was not straightforward. Campbell's comments strongly suggest that the injury started last season, and then became worse (or maybe just more apparent to the team) after he signed his contract in March. A partial ACL tear would fit the timeline. The Lions guaranteed Onwuzurike $3.5 million for this year which means they did not have any significant concern at the time of signing. I went back and reviewed the tape of last season and found that he was wearing a right knee brace all season starting in Week 1. Here he is having his right leg checked on in Week 18. He also missed one game with a left hamstring in Week 13, which was his only missed game of the year. It's unknown which side his ACL is on. Taylor Decker - shoulder surgery After practice, Decker stated that there was a pre-existing shoulder issue that got worse during OTA. Last year, Decker had a right pec strain and a rotator cuff, so the issue could have stemmed from that. He stated he had surgery after OTA and rehab has been going well. Yesterday, Dan Campbell said he was expected to practice in about two weeks. Alex Anzalone "I don't see him practicing a hamstring" If you had to choose an injury to hide a hold-in, a hamstring would be it. A mild hamstring is benign with no long-term concerns and doesn't invite many follow-up questions. It can also conveniently be fully-healed as soon as electronic pen meets electronic paper. DeAndre Hopkins, among others, has used that body part in the past. Both the team and the player collectively may want to hide a hold-in to avoid controversial questions and negative vibes. Al-Quadin Muhammad "We may try to get him moving today." Since Muhammad was not placed on PUP, there isn't any concern here. Anthony Pittman "Pittman will be back." No concerns here either. Other news from Day 2 of practice... Sione Vaki - leg Vaki left practice due to an unspecified leg injury. No further details here. Vaki missed one game with a right knee last season but was otherwise healthy.
Chicago Tribune
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Detroit Lions DL Levi Onwuzurike out for season after ACL surgery, setback for team with ailing Alim McNeill
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike is out for the season after having knee surgery, a setback for a franchise that was counting on him to fill in for Alim McNeill. Lions coach Dan Campbell made the announcement Sunday morning, hours before his team had its first training camp practice of the year. The 27-year-old Onwuzurike started in a career-high 11 games last season, including Detroit's loss to Washington in the divisional round. His playing time increased when McNeill had a season-ending knee injury in December. McNeill, who signed a $97 million, four-year contract extension last October, is out indefinitely. Onwuzurike's injury gives rookie defensive tackle Tyleik Williams a chance to play a significant role when the two-time defending NFC North champions kick off the season Sept. 7 at Green Bay. 'Losing Levi, that hurts, but it helps that we got Tyleik,' Campbell said. The Lions will play in the league's first preseason game July 31 against the Los Angeles Chargers in Canton, Ohio. Detroit selected Williams, a former Ohio State standout, with the 28th pick overall in the NFL draft. The 6-foot-3, 334-pound Williams started 13 games for the national champion Buckeyes and had 46 tackles, including eight for losses and 2 1/2 sacks. The Lions also will lean on 31-year-old defensive tackle DJ Reader and newly acquired veteran Roy Lopez, who started 16 games last season for Arizona and has 50 career starts with the Cardinals and Houston Texans. 'I like what we've got in that room,' Campbell said. 'We've got an opportunity for a lot of guys. We just have to get the best unit that we can to come out of this, and then we have to weather any storm until we get reinforcements because reinforcements are coming, at least we know that.' Detroit's injury report on the defensive line also lists Mekhi Wingo, who had a season-ending knee injury, and Josh Paschal, who had shoulder surgery. The team also held edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad out of its first practice. 'Feel good about getting Paschal back here at some point before the season,' Campbell said. The Lions are encouraged by Aidan Hutchinson's comeback from surgery he had last season after breaking his left leg in two places, ending his third NFL season with 7 1/2 sacks in five games. Hutchinson appeared to fully participate in practice on Sunday, wearing a black sleeve to support much of his left leg. 'It's hard to differentiate from any other time I've seen because he's so fluid and he's just such a beast,' said defensive end Marcus Davenport, who was limited to two games last season because of torn triceps. 'He looks good to you, like he's back.'
Fox Sports
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Lions' DL Takes Another Blow With Levi Onwuzurike (ACL) Ruled Out For 2025 Season
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike is out for the season after having knee surgery, a setback for a franchise that was counting on him to fill in for Alim McNeill. Lions coach Dan Campbell made the announcement on Sunday morning, just before his team had the NFL's first training camp practice of the year. The 27-year-old Onwuzurike started in a career-high 11 games last season, including Detroit's loss to Washington in the divisional round. His playing time increased when McNeill had a season-ending knee injury in December. McNeill, who signed a $97 million, four-year contract extension last October, is out indefinitely. Onwuzurike's injury gives rookie defensive tackle Tyleik Williams a chance to play a significant role when the two-time defending NFC North champions kick off the season Sept. 7 against the Green Bay Packers. Detroit drafted the former Ohio State standout with the 28th pick overall in the NFL draft. The 6-foot-3, 334-pound Williams started 13 games for the national champion Buckeyes and had 46 tackles, including eight for losses and 2.5 sacks. The Lions will also lean on 31-year-old defensive tackle DJ Reader and newly acquired veteran Roy Lopez, who started 16 games last season for Arizona and has 50 career starts with the Cardinals and Houston Texans. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
20-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Lions DT Levi Onwuzurike out for entire 2025 season with ACL injury, surgery
The Lions' 2024 defensive line injury woes have held over into 2025, with Dan Campbell confirming Detroit will be without defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike for the entire upcoming season after offseason surgery on an ACL injury. Onwuzurike – who signed a one-year deal coming into the season after an impressive 2024 following a back injury that required spinal fusion surgery in Oct. 2022 – was placed on the reserve/PUP list on Thursday. Though Onwuzurike played in 2023, his role was limited. REQUIRED READING: Detroit Lions rookie Tate Ratledge drawing comparisons to All-Pro in work at center "Levi surgery was – it was significant but it needed to be done," Campbell said Sunday, per the Detroit Free Press. "Out of his control and it needed to be done, so he will miss the season." "You don't like to lose anybody," Campbell said, per ESPN. "Certainly, losing Levi, that hurts, but it helps that we've got Tyleik (Williams), so we've got a little bit of balance here." According to Campbell, Onwuzurike got the knee surgery earlier in the offseason. Onwuzurike joined fellow defensive tackle Alim McNeill on the reserve/PUP list when he was placed on it, as McNeill continues to recover from a Dec. 15 ACL tear suffered against the Bills last season. The aforementioned Tyleik Williams, the 28th overall pick in this year's NFL draft out of Ohio State, recorded 46 tackles (eight for loss) and 2.5 sacks in last year's championship season for the Buckeyes.
Mint
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Detroit Lions face huge setback as Levi Onwuzurike set to miss 2025 season after ACL surgery
The Detroit Lions have suffered a huge blow to their defensive line as training camp kicks off. Defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike is set to miss the entire 2025 NFL season after ACL surgery, head coach Dan Campbell announced. Levi Onwuzurike, a 2021 second-round draft pick, has faced a series of health setbacks throughout his career. The 27-year-old defensive tackle previously underwent spinal fusion surgery, which sidelined him for significant portions of his first two seasons. Despite these challenges, Onwuzurike bounced back in 2024. He started in 10 of 16 games. He registered 28 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a career-high 13 quarterback hits. His performance earned him a one-year contract with the Lions during the offseason, raising hopes for a strong 2025 campaign. However, those hopes were dashed when Campbell revealed the severity of Onwuzurike's latest injury. The injury, a torn ACL, was confirmed after Onwuzurike was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list just days before camp began. This placement would have already sidelined him for at least the first four games of the regular season, but the full extent of the injury means he won't see the field in 2025. 'Levi's surgery was significant, but it needed to be done,' Campbell said. 'Out of his control, but needed to be done, so he will miss the season.' "You don't like to lose anybody," Campbell said. "Certainly, losing Levi, that hurts, but it helps that we have got (rookie defensive lineman)Tyleik (Williams), so we've got a little bit of balance here," he added. The loss of Onwuzurike is a significant setback for a Lions defense looking to build on its 2024 momentum. The team will be banking on rookie Tyleik Williams and other depth players to step up in Onwuzurike's absence, but replacing his experience will be a challenge. The Lions' injury woes extend beyond Onwuzurike. The team also placed defensive tackles Alim McNeill and Mekhi Wingo, along with left tackle Taylor Decker, cornerback Khalil Dorsey, guard Miles Frazier, and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, on the active/PUP list. While these players are eligible to return once cleared, their early absence adds uncertainty to the Lions' side as they prepare for the season. Amid the string of injuries, Campbell provided a positive update on left tackle Taylor Decker. 'He is good. He just cleaned out the shoulder a little bit, and we are going to work him back when he is ready to get the strength back,' Campbell said. 'But he is in a good place.' The team expects Decker to return to the lineup following the Lions' Hall of Fame preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers on July 31.
