The Detroit Lions are preparing to start the 2025 NFL season without one of their key defensive players. Defensive tackle Alim McNeill, who suffered a torn ACL last season, is unlikely to be ready for the beginning of the season, according to head coach Dan Campbell.
Speaking at the NFL league meetings, Campbell made it clear that the team isn’t going to rush McNeill back onto the field. “It won’t be at the start of camp and probably not early in the season,” Campbell said, via the Lions’ play-by-play broadcaster. The team is focused on ensuring McNeill is fully recovered before he returns.
McNeill earned a four-year, $97 million contract extension after becoming a force on Detroit’s defensive line. With 137 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks in his career, his absence was felt last season when the Lions’ run defense took a hit. Given the typical ACL recovery timeline of 9-12 months, McNeill’s return could range anywhere from September to December.
Detroit’s defense has prioritized stopping the run under Campbell, and losing McNeill in 2024 was a significant challenge. As the team heads into the 2025 season, Campbell remains firm in his philosophy. “You’ve got to make teams one-dimensional in this league. It’s one thing to get thrown on, but if you get run on, you take a team’s soul,” he said.
The Lions will have to adjust early in the season without McNeill, but they’re determined to maintain their defensive identity while they await his return.
Detroit Lions DT Alim McNeill Likely Out to Begin 2025 Season
