By Moses Joshua 
Detroit’s defensive anchor nears return as rehab progress exceeds expectations
The Detroit Lions got some encouraging news this week as defensive tackle Alim McNeill shared a major step forward in his recovery from a torn ACL. Nearly 10 months removed from his December injury, the 24-year-old defender says he’s close to full strength — and ahead of schedule.
McNeill Nears Full Recovery
Speaking with Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers, McNeill revealed that his relentless rehab has pushed him to about “93-94% recovered” from the knee injury suffered against the Buffalo Bills last season. His recovery has included a mix of physical therapy, red light therapy, and shockwave treatments.
The work appears to be paying off. “If he needed to suit up and play a game this week, he’s confident he could,” Rogers reported. Still, McNeill emphasized that patience is part of the plan. Strengthening the muscles around the knee and finishing that last 6-7% of his recovery remain his priority before stepping back on the field.
Praise From the Front Office
This isn’t the first update suggesting McNeill is ahead of schedule. Back in August, Lions general manager Brad Holmes shared optimism about the big man’s progress.
“Having Alim on his way back, which I think that, you know, that has a potential to be a little bit earlier than expected,” Holmes told SiriusXM. “Because he’s doing great right now.”
Holmes’ comments, paired with McNeill’s own assessment, give the Lions confidence that their defensive centerpiece could return sooner rather than later.
When Could He Return?
Despite the positive news, McNeill’s return isn’t immediate. Since he began the season on the reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, league rules require him to miss at least the first four games. The earliest he could return to practice is ahead of Detroit’s Week 5 clash with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Even then, the Lions generally prefer players coming off major injuries to log one or two weeks of practice before seeing game action. That makes mid-to-late October a best-case scenario, with November looking more realistic.
Why McNeill Matters
The Lions invested heavily in McNeill last year, signing him to a four-year, $97 million extension. That commitment reflects just how important he is to Detroit’s defensive front. Not only is he a rock against the run, but he has developed as a pass rusher as well, ranking 13th among interior linemen in PFF’s pass-rushing grade last season.
His presence will be critical for Detroit’s playoff aspirations. If his recovery stays on track, McNeill could be rounding into peak form just as the Lions gear up for a postseason push.
The Bottom Line
The timetable may stretch into November, but the signs are overwhelmingly positive for Alim McNeill. For a Lions defense aiming to match the standard of their high-powered offense, getting their disruptive tackle back healthy and confident could be the biggest boost of all.