Questionable Squad Depth: Amon‑Ra St. Brown Recovering from Knee Surgery; Tyleik Williams Still in Rehab

It’s the kind of offseason update that makes Lions fans hold their breath — and maybe cross their fingers a little, too.

As the Detroit Lions ramp up toward what many believe could be a Super Bowl-contending season, two of their most promising stars are still on the mend. Wide receiver Amon‑Ra St. Brown, arguably the team’s most reliable offensive weapon, is recovering from knee surgery. On the other side of the ball, first-round rookie Tyleik Williams remains in rehab.

And while there’s no panic in Allen Park (yet), it definitely raises some questions about the squad’s depth — especially with camp creeping closer.


The Sun God’s Setback

It’s hard to overstate how important Amon‑Ra St. Brown is to Detroit’s offense. The guy is a machine — whether it’s chain-moving slants or clutch red zone grabs, he’s Goff’s most trusted target.

So news of his offseason knee surgery was jarring. While the team has downplayed its severity, calling it a “cleanup,” it’s still enough to put his full participation in early camp activities in doubt.

“He’s progressing well,” coaches have said, but no timetable has been given for full-speed return.

Let’s be clear: there’s zero expectation that St. Brown will miss regular season games. But even a slowed-down summer could impact chemistry and timing with a Lions offense expected to fire on all cylinders from Week 1.


Tyleik’s Timeline

On defense, first-rounder Tyleik Williams is another question mark. After being drafted to help bolster the Lions’ interior line, he entered the offseason dealing with lingering issues that have kept him out of full-team reps so far.

The Lions are high on Williams — and with good reason. The former Buckeye brings size, explosiveness, and much-needed depth behind Alim McNeill. But he needs live reps, especially in a system like Aaron Glenn’s that demands discipline and aggression.

“He’s rehabbing well,” per team sources, “but we want to be cautious.”

If he’s not ready by camp’s start, that could put pressure on some lesser-known DTs to step up — and fast.


Should Fans Be Worried?

Short answer: not yet. Both situations are being described as precautionary, and the Lions are doing the smart thing — playing it safe in June to avoid bigger problems in September.

But here’s where it gets interesting: Detroit’s roster has talent, but depth is still a work in progress. If guys like St. Brown or Williams miss any time at all, the Lions will be counting on young and unproven names to fill some serious shoes.


Next Man Up Season?

Training camp could reveal a lot. Rookie WRs like Isaiah Williams might see more reps if St. Brown is limited. On the D-line, names like Brodric Martin or Levi Onwuzurike may have a shot to stake a bigger claim.

If there’s a silver lining, it’s this: early adversity builds toughness. And if the Lions want to survive the marathon that is the NFL season, they’ll need every ounce of it — starting now.

By Sunday

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