By Sunday 
The 2025 season just got a lot more complicated in Detroit.
If you thought the Detroit Lions had weathered their share of adversity this offseason—new coordinators, key retirements, lingering injuries—well, the football gods have thrown one more wrench into Dan Campbell’s game plan. Defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike is officially out for the season with a torn ACL.
And just like that, a thin defensive line group becomes even more fragile.
A Gut Punch for the D-Line
The injury, announced by Campbell on the first full day of training camp, isn’t just a loss—it’s a gut punch. Onwuzurike had become a rotational staple for Detroit’s defensive front. While not always in the spotlight, his ability to slide between the tackle and the edge gave the Lions crucial flexibility.
Even more heartbreaking? He’d battled through a tough 2024 with only one missed game, seemingly putting nagging back issues behind him. Now, just months after signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal, his season is over before it began.
What This Means for the Lions
This isn’t just about missing a body. It’s about missing versatility, experience, and a guy who took snaps all across the line. The Lions are already down Alim McNeill, who tore his ACL late last season and isn’t expected back until mid-2025. Mekhi Wingo? Also shelved to start the season on the PUP list.
In a word: yikes.
The current rotation looks something like this:
- D.J. Reader (veteran presence, solid but aging)
- Tyleik Williams (talented rookie, but raw)
- Roy Lopez (free agent, rotational)
- Brodric Martin (still proving himself)
No disrespect to those guys, but this is a depth chart you look at with one eye closed.
Finding a Way Forward
The question now is whether Detroit stands pat or looks for help. With Onwuzurike gone and other injuries still healing, the Lions may need to explore late free agency or a trade to bolster the line. They need someone who can contribute right now—not just another practice squad hopeful.
And it’s not just about the trenches. Onwuzurike also helped with edge containment, meaning Detroit might need to consider signing another edge rusher as insurance.
Dan Campbell’s Challenge Just Got Harder
Coach Campbell has always leaned into adversity. “Scared money don’t make money,” as he says. But this? This is a test of roster construction, coaching creativity, and locker room resilience.
The Lions have talent. They have leadership. But they’re starting training camp behind the 8-ball—again.
And the NFC isn’t going to wait for them to get healthy.