By Blessing 
As the Detroit Lions gear up for the 2025 NFL season, much of the spotlight has been on Aidan Hutchinson’s recovery journey — and rightly so. But quietly flying under the radar is linebacker Derrick Barnes, who also endured a tough season-ending injury last year. His return could be just as important for Detroit’s championship hopes.
Barnes, now entering his fifth season with the Lions, suffered a significant setback just three games into the 2024 campaign. The injury — involving both his MCL and PCL — required surgery and a lengthy recovery process. Still, Barnes remained determined to get back on the field.
“It definitely was very difficult for me, mentally too, and physically. It was a very humbling injury, with it being MCL and PCL. But I recovered well,” Barnes told MLive, reflecting on the experience. “When I went in to get surgery, the doctor was like, ‘You’re not human,’ because of the way I healed.”
Despite the grueling rehab process, Barnes stayed focused. He admitted there were tough moments during recovery that made him doubt if he’d ever return to form. “Rehab was obviously a struggle. There were moments where I was like, ‘Man, this (expletive) is never going to get better,’” he shared candidly.
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Doctors estimated a three- to five-month recovery timeline for Barnes, which would have allowed him to rejoin the roster in time for Super Bowl LIX — had the Lions made it that far. Though his season ended early, Barnes remained visible around the team facility later in the year, moving with confidence and without showing signs of the injury.
“That’s just how it is at the beginning. It feels like you’re not making progress, and then once it clicks, you start going super fast. I’m just blessed to be healthy and out here, back with my teammates,” Barnes said.
Now, two weeks into training camp, Barnes has looked strong in full-padded practices. He’s been getting reps at off-ball linebacker, though he still spends most of his time in his usual SAM linebacker position — a role he’s grown comfortable in over the years.
With his mental and physical hurdles behind him, Barnes is back in the mix on a defense filled with high expectations. While Hutchinson might get more headlines, Barnes’ return adds crucial depth and leadership to a team chasing its first Super Bowl title.
If his comeback is any indication, Detroit might have another key piece of the puzzle falling right back into place.