The Detroit Lions received some concerning news earlier this week when rookie defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein suffered a pectoral injury during the team’s third preseason game. Initial fears suggested it could be a season-ending setback. However, both Hassanein and the Lions now have a more optimistic outlook.
Avoiding Surgery
Head coach Dan Campbell initially said Hassanein would be out for “a while” and admitted the team couldn’t rule out the possibility of the injury ending his rookie season. But Hassanein himself shared more encouraging news.
On social media, the rookie explained that he avoided surgery. Then, after Thursday’s practice, where he was spotted on the sidelines, he confirmed more positive results to Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers.
“I caught up with him briefly, walking off the field, and he confirmed his MRI results were good and he’ll avoid surgery, but it’s too early to say how long he might be out of action,” Rogers reported.
What It Means for the Season
Campbell didn’t have a new timeline when asked again about Hassanein’s status, but the Lions’ decision-making offers some hope. The team has not placed him on season-ending injured reserve, which suggests they believe he has a chance to return at some point in 2025.
If Detroit does put Hassanein on IR at the roster cutdown deadline, he would be eligible to return after missing at least four games. That leaves the door open for a midseason comeback.
The Bottom Line
Ahmed Hassanein’s rookie campaign isn’t over yet. While the timeline remains uncertain, avoiding surgery is a huge step in the right direction. The Lions may have to wait “a while” to see him back on the field, but the young defensive lineman is trending toward a return, and that’s good news for Detroit’s depth in the trenches.