ALLEN PARK -- With training camp just days away from beginning, the Detroit Lions are juggling their roster and injured players before hitting the field for the first time.
The Lions placed left tackle Taylor Decker, cornerback Khalil Dorsey, offensive lineman Miles Frazier, linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, and defensive linemen Alim McNeil and Mekhi Wingo on the active physically unable to perform list (PUP). These players can be activated at any point during preseason and training camp, and will continue to count against the 90-player limit.
That’s the good news for some of those names. Although, McNeill is expected to miss camp and the preseason, and Rodriguez isn’t expected back until November. Wingo is also working back from an ACL injury, and remains without much of a timetable for a return.
Defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike was the lone player to land on the reserve-PUP list, meaning his preseason and training camp are over before it began. It’s a disappointing development for Onwuzurike, who after years of back issues, left his mark on the defense and earned a new contract.
Unlike the others, Onwuzurike will not count against the roster limit until he is activated. His addition to the reserve PUP list is the biggest surprise, as he was being counted on to fill a major role with McNeill and Wingo working back from knee injuries in the regular season’s first half.
Onwuzurike landed a one-year, $5.5 million deal to stick around in Detroit this past offseason. The deal was viewed as quite the bargain, but those injury concerns coming to light are a reminder of the associated risk.
The former second-round defensive lineman finished in the top 15 at his position with a 12.5% pass-rush win rate last season, showing what he could do after his first healthy offseason. He was able to put on weight and keep it on, as well, and that power showed up in 2024.
The Lions also placed edge defender Josh Paschal and defensive back Stantley Thomas-Oliver on the active non-football injury list. Pachal, another recent second-round pick, is being viewed for another season of inside-outside work on the line. It’s the final year of his rookie deal.
Undrafted rookie running back Anthony Tyus III was waived with a non-football illness designation. The Lions also officially placed Frank Ragnow on the reserve/retired list, in addition to waiving cornerback Divaad Wilson from injured reserve.
The Lions open training camp this weekend, with head coach Dan Campbell expected to address reporters. We’ll see what Campbell has to say about these injury situations, and the concern with Decker and everybody else to land on an injured list.
Detroit’s offensive line is already going through enough changes, with the interior going through a complete remodel. Decker is being counted on more than ever to hold things down with Penei Sewell.
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