Coach Dan Campbell confirms defensive lineman out for the year, reshuffling depth chart amid injuries
July 20, 2025: The Detroit Lions will be without defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike for the entirety of the 2025 NFL season, head coach Dan Campbell confirmed Sunday. Initially placed on the reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list earlier in the week — a designation that would have sidelined him for at least four games — it’s now clear the veteran won’t return this year.
Campbell clarified that Onwuzurike recently underwent ACL surgery that was deemed absolutely necessary. Fortunately, the injury is not related to the chronic back issue that sidelined him early in his career.
The loss is a significant setback for Detroit’s defensive front, particularly after nose tackle Alim McNeill tore his ACL in December and is expected to miss a large portion of the upcoming season. Onwuzurike was a strong candidate to start this year following a solid 2024 campaign in which he played all 16 games, started 10, and recorded 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and a forced fumble.
With Onwuzurike and McNeill both sidelined, the Lions will now rely heavily on players like DJ Reader, Roy Lopez, Pat O’Connor, and highly anticipated first-round rookie Tyleik Williams. Campbell remains confident in the unit’s depth.
“The depth, feeling pretty good,” Campbell said. “Certainly, losing Levi, that hurts, but it helps that we have Tyleik. And we feel good about getting Josh Paschal back before the season. So, I think, all-in-all we’re pretty good. I like what we’ve got in that room.”
Detroit had re-signed Onwuzurike to a one-year, $4 million deal this offseason after he impressed in his contract year. However, with his ongoing injury struggles, questions now loom about whether the 26-year-old has played his final snaps in a Lions uniform.