Sportsnaut
Injuries were a major factor in the Detroit Lions’ season last year. While it’s hard to take issue with how the regular season resulted in a 15-2 record and the first seed in the NFC Playoff hunt, it became clear that the Lions were too decimated on defense to stop a fast-paced Washington Commanders team led by superstar Offensive Rookie of the Year winner Jayden Daniels.
With stars like Aidan Hutchinson sidelined for the playoffs, fans can’t help but wonder how much further the Lions could have gotten. Unfortunately, the 2025-26 season is set to kick off with a similar tune as last season in Detroit.
According to Lions head coach Dan Campbell, starting defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike had to have a “significant” season-ending surgery involving an ACL tear. While he will be missed, Campbell admitted, “It needed to be done.”
Onwuzurike suited up for 16 games last season, where he made 10 starts. He was a key part of a Lions defense that allowed the seventh-fewest points per game last year.
While Onwuzurike may be a big loss, the Lions did select defensive tackle Tyleik Williams in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and now he should see an even bigger role as a rookie than many anticipated.
Related: Former All-Pro Publicly Calls Detroit Lions’ Penei Sewell Overrated
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