By Sunday 
If there’s one thing every Detroit Lions fan is tired of hearing, it’s the word “injury.” Unfortunately, the football gods aren’t done testing this squad’s patience. On Thursday, the team announced that defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike has been placed on the reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, sidelining him for at least the first four games of the 2025 season.
A Career Finally Gaining Momentum…
This hurts a little more than usual because Levi was finally coming into his own. After struggling with chronic back issues early in his career (including missing all of 2022), he returned in 2023 with flashes of promise. But it was 2024 that really felt like the turning point — 635 snaps, 10 starts, 28 tackles, 22 QB pressures, and even 1.5 sacks. For a guy who was once a medical question mark, he suddenly looked like a piece worth keeping around.
The Lions clearly agreed, signing him to a one-year, $4 million deal earlier this offseason. A healthy, productive Levi was supposed to be part of the solution up front. Now? We’re back in the waiting room.
So, What’s Going On?
That’s the frustrating part: nobody knows exactly. There’s no specific injury linked to this move — just the ever-lurking back problems that have haunted him since his days at Washington. It’s unclear whether this is a flare-up or just the team being extra cautious, but the PUP list designation means he can’t practice or play for the first four games of the season, minimum.
And with Detroit facing early matchups that could set the tone for the year, his absence is more than just a roster footnote.
The Domino Effect
Levi’s setback comes at a time when the Lions are already trying to balance youth and depth across their defensive line. First-round rookie Tyleik Williams, veteran D.J. Reader, and the ever-dependable Alim McNeill will now shoulder more pressure. But make no mistake — Levi was supposed to be part of that rotation. He earned it.
Is the Clock Ticking?
Here’s where it gets tricky. This is a contract year for Onwuzurike. A prove-it season. The kind of year that either lands you a long-term deal or sends you packing. And after just securing a second chance in Detroit, another health setback puts his future in serious question.
We’re all rooting for him — not just because of what he can do in the trenches, but because he’s the kind of comeback story every football fan wants to believe in.
Until more details surface, one thing is certain: Levi Onwuzurike’s future with the Lions just hit pause again. Hopefully, it’s not for long.