ALLEN PARK — Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal returned to the practice field on Wednesday for the first time this season.
His injury was under wraps for most of the season, until Lions coach Dan Campbell revealed a few weeks ago that he’d been dealing with a back injury.
Paschal told The Detroit News that he actually sustained the injury toward the back half of the 2024 season, and it lingered until May, when he underwent surgery.
“It was just something that happened at the back end of last year, last season, and then lingered into the offseason, to the point that I had to have a surgical procedure to get it done,” Paschal said. “So I’m back now, I’m stronger and ready to get out there.”
Paschal’s return provides some depth to a lineup that had been clicking for most of the season and also just returned defensive tackle Alim McNeill. Paschal is a bit of a hybrid player who can play defensive end and tackle, depending on what the defense needs.
While he’s behind the eight-ball in some aspects because he didn’t get to participate in training camp, his three years of prior experience should help him find his groove. Paschal, a former second-round pick by Detroit in 2022, played 36 games for Detroit in his first three seasons.
“(I’m) just getting used to the fundamental aspects of the game. I feel like I’m in great shape. I just gotta be able to play football and get some reps in,” Paschal said. “… It’s just about getting back into football, like the small fundamentals that you have to get going during camp. That’s something I missed. So just honing those keys throughout the week, and then it’ll come right back to you. So I’m just looking forward to that point.”
Last season, Paschal missed time due to an issue pertaining to the cancer diagnosis he overcame during college. He recorded 21 tackles, two sacks, and 34 pressures, the last mark ranking sixth on the team.