The 2025 season was challenging for the Detroit Lions, missing the playoffs. But for their defensive lineman, Alim McNeill, it was more challenging.

The Lions defensive tackle opened up about his recovery from an ACL injury he suffered during the 2024 season, which impacted his performance in the 2025 season.

“It’s just how the body works,” McNeill said after the third day of OTA practice on May 29. “It takes time for stuff to come back a little bit, and some stuff was just not there. No matter how hard I tried to do certain stuff, it just wasn’t there. It’s here now.” 

McNeill came back in the 2025 season, post-recovery from an ACL injury. However, he expressed feeling pressured to perform better. He even lost his sleep over it regarding his recovery and the contract extension post his rookie contract.

McNeill signed a four-year, $97 million contract extension with the Lions in 2024 but tore his ACL in the Week 15 game against the Buffalo Bills in 2024, ending his season.

Furthermore, he was placed on the PUP list for the first six weeks of the 2025 season before he rejoined the team.

On returning, McNeill recorded 14 tackles (five solo), three QB hits, and one sack for 10 games played in 2025. During that phase, he felt that his biggest limitation was his overall strength, as well as a mental battle between his mind and body. 

After all, McNeill logged a career-best 45 quarterback pressures on 631 snaps in 14 games in 2024. Before his ACL injury, he amassed 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss across the 2023–24 seasons.

Moving into 2026, he compared himself to the previous season and said he felt a "night and day difference" between his past and present self, as shared to Benjamin Raven of Mlive.com.

He assured the team, during the OTAs session, that he is returning ‘100% healthy’ by taking care of himself before the team heads to the training camp. 

With McNeill starting the 2026 season healthy, he is expected to provide the disruption the Lions’ defense needs. 

Detroit’s Defensive Line Depth Faces Tough Decision as Alim McNeill Returns

The Lions are expecting both defensive tackles, McNeill and Levi Onwuzurike, to return healthy for the 2026 season. But Moe Moton of Bleacher Report believes that Onwuzurike would be waived by the Lions because of his injuries and lack of consistent performance.

Onwuzurike had back surgery in 2022, making him miss an entire season. He returned in 2023 but had a productive season only in 2024, recording 28 tackles (16 solo), 13 QB hits, and 1.5 sacks. He again missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL injury.

With McNeill returning to his original spot, it can help defensive tackle Tyleik Williams gain more opportunities on the passing downs, and he is expected to fill the gap of DJ Reader, according to Bo Underwood of SideLionReport.

The Lions also added Jay Tufele in free agency and drafted Skyler Gil-Howard and Tyre West during the offseason, adding more depth and proven production.

While the depth addition during the offseason strengthens the unit overall, it also leaves Onwuzurike’s future on the team uncertain.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar