Dan Campbell Refuses To Hype Up Lions Star With Torn ACL
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell answers a question before OTAs at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell answers a question before OTAs at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, May 29, 2026.
The Detroit Lions head coach, Dan Campbell, stepped to the podium for his OTA Day 3 press conference and kept things very real about one of his most important defensive players.
Defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike is working his way back from a torn ACL that cost him the entire 2025 season, and Campbell was not about to oversell where things stand.
"I like where Levi's at. And I'll leave it at that. He's working. He feels good," Campbell said on May 29. "I'm not hyping anybody up. Not in May. It's not worth it."
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 27: Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell checking out his squad prior to the game between Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions on November 27, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI /CSM Detroit United States - ZUMAc04_ 20251127_zma_c04_002 Copyright: xAllanxDranbergx
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 27: Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell checking out his squad prior to the game between Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions on November 27, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI /CSM Detroit United States - ZUMAc04_ 20251127_zma_c04_002 Copyright: xAllanxDranbergx
Campbell's reasoning was clear. OTAs are non-contact, no pads, essentially a "pajama party" in his own words.
He has watched guys look sharp in May and mean absolutely nothing by the time training camp opens. He is not reading into anything until the real work starts in late July.
Onwuzurike played 16 games in 2024, starting 10, and put up 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and 13 quarterback hits. In 2025, he was sidelined for the entire season due to surgery on his torn ACL.
Apart from Onwuzurike, Campbell also gave an update on other players.
Dan Campbell Provides Injury Updates On Key Lions Stars
As the offseason has started, the Lions are keeping a close eye on safeties Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph and tight end Sam LaPorta.
“Kerby, Branch, LaPorta, they’re all improving,” Campbell said. “None of them are practicing. That’s the best I can tell you.”
The head coach further explained that since OTAs are non-padded practices, those players' involvement isn't necessary.
“That’s not the priority,” Campbell said. “And it’s not worth all of that anyways. Now, LaPorta’s taken some walkthroughs, jog-throughs. He’s done some of that...The most important thing is: continue to let them improve, rehab, all that. That’ll take precedence right now. So, they’re in meetings, they’re getting the mental side of this and take it day-by-day.”
Branch is rehabbing from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered last season. Joseph is dealing with a knee injury he suffered last season and missed 11 games of the season. LaPorta also underwent back surgery in November last year.
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Written by
Farheen Fathima
Edited by
Shubhi Rathore