The training camp of the Detroit Lions begins in the NFL this year with a powerful bad news.
As Head Coach Dan Campbell announced to reporters on Sunday, defensive Tackle Levi Onwuzurike will miss the entire 2025 season. He suffered a cruciate ligament tear and, according to Campbell, was operated on several weeks ago.
“Levi’s operation was serious, but it just had to be done,” said Campbell. “It was not in his hand, but it was necessary, so he will miss the season.”
A few days ago, the Lions Onwuzurike had already relied on the reserve/physically uninfected to perform (PUP) without giving reasons. He would have already missed the first four games of the season. However, it is unclear why it was not immediately put on the Injured Reserve List, which would have officially ended his season.
Lions rely directly on rookie
“You don’t like to lose anyone,” said Campbell. “Sure, losing Levi hurts, but it helps that we have rookie defensive lineman Tyleik Williams. So we have a little compensation here.”
Onwuzurike, which the Lions had drawn in round 2 in Draft 2021, only extended for another year in Detroit in this offseason. Last season he returned from back surgery and stood in 16 games on the field (10 starts). He brought it to 1.5 sacks and 28 tackles as well as a forced fumble. Previously, he had completely missed the 2022 season with the same back injury and was active in just ten games in 2023.
The bad luck in the defense will probably remain loyal to the Lions in 2025, after numerous service providers had suffered serious injuries last year. Accordingly, several players start the camp on the Active/Pup List this year, including defensive Tackle Alim McNeill and LineBacker Malcolm Rodriguez. In addition, Left Tackle Taylor Decker is initially part of this long list (six players).
After all, the camp, which was seriously injured in the previous year, Edge Rusher Aidan Hutchinson begins the camp without restrictions and can be fully trained again.