Mekhi Wingo Eager for Year 2 with Lions Following Injury-Plagued Rookie Season
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo is set to make his return to football activities after a promising rookie campaign was cut short due to a torn meniscus in his knee. Drafted in the sixth round by the Lions in April 2024, Wingo quickly garnered attention for his maturity and leadership on the field. He became an important rotational piece along the Lions’ defensive line, starting in several games after injuries decimated the team’s defensive front.
Unfortunately, just as Wingo was hitting his stride, his season came to an abrupt end. After 11 games, the knee injury required surgery, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. Head coach Dan Campbell praised Wingo’s impact, noting that the young defensive lineman had become a crucial part of the defense, especially during a stretch of games when the team was riddled with injuries.
“It was definitely tough not being out there,” Wingo said, reflecting on his early exit from his first season. “This team, you’ve seen all the injuries we had. What do I look like complaining with all the injuries we had? It’s just part of the game and you have to attack the rehab process.”
Wingo is expected to be fully recovered in time for training camp at the end of July 2025, following an estimated five to six months of rehab. He remains optimistic about his future with the team and is focused on improving his game during the offseason. “Once you do it, you know what it is,” he added, referencing the adjustment to the speed and physicality of the NFL. “Now it’s just time for me to work on my abilities so I can put the best product on the field next year.”
The Lions will return a solid core along the defensive line for the 2025 season, with key players like Aidan Hutchinson, Za’Darius Smith, Alim McNeill, and DJ Reader all under contract. However, McNeill’s status for the season opener remains uncertain after he suffered a torn ACL in December. With Wingo aiming for a bigger role in Year 2, he’s hopeful that a healthy and deep defensive front will make for an even stronger Lions defense.
Wingo’s focus this offseason is on improving his film study, becoming more effective against the run, getting stronger, and finding ways to be more disruptive in the pass rush. Despite being undersized for an interior defender (6-0, 288 lbs), Wingo’s quickness and determination allowed him to make an impact as a rookie.
His goal for the 2025 season is clear: turn his solid foundation into a bigger and more playmaking role. “It’s definitely exciting to get all those guys back,” Wingo said, referencing the other Lions players who missed time last season due to injury. “Blessed to get to share the field with those guys again. Great leaders and I just can’t wait to get out there and work.”
With a healthy defensive line and a motivated Wingo, the Lions are looking to strengthen their defensive unit in the upcoming season.
