Total Pro Sports
Before a single proper practice, the Detroit Lions just lost a crucial player of their defensive force. Defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike will miss the entire 2025 season after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL, head coach Dan Campbell confirmed Sunday as training camp opened.
“Levi’s surgery was significant, but it needed to be done,” Campbell told ESPN. “Out of his control, but needed to be done, so he will miss the season.”
This is a tough blow for a player who fought his way back last season after spinal fusion surgery ended his 2022 and wiped out his 2023. Onwuzurike started 10 games in 2024, tallied 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and logged a career-high 13 quarterback hits.
This isn’t just a Levi problem. Detroit’s defensive line is already quite shaky.
Veteran Alim McNeill is starting camp on the active/PUP list, still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in Week 15 last year. Rookie Mekhi Wingo is also on the PUP as he rehabs from a torn meniscus. While neither is on the reserve list, which means they can be activated any day, the Lions are walking a tightrope up front.
Rookie first-round pick Tyleik Williams will now be asked to carry a much bigger load than expected. The Ohio State product has the tools, but Campbell knows this isn’t an ideal way to break in a rookie.
Lions DT Levi Onwuzurike underwent surgery for a torn ACL and is out for the season, per Detroit HC Dan Campbell.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 20, 2025
“You don’t like to lose anybody,” Campbell said. “Certainly, losing Levi, that hurts, but it helps that we’ve got Tyleik, so we’ve got a little bit of balance here.”
The Lions also placed left tackle Taylor Decker, cornerback Khalil Dorsey, guard Miles Frazier, and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez on the PUP list. Campbell expects Decker back shortly after the Hall of Fame Game against the Chargers on July 31.
“He’s good. He just cleaned out the shoulder a little bit,” Campbell said. “We’re going to work him back when he’s ready to go.”
Still, the team didn’t plan to start the season this way after building off last year’s NFC Championship run. New defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard now has a full plate. He’s replacing Aaron Glenn and already facing an injury-riddled front line.
Camp hasn’t even started, and the Lions are already in scramble mode.
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