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Eric Woodyard
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions defensive deal with Levi Onwuzurike will miss all the 2025 season due to an ACL damage.
Onwuzurike underwent knee surgical procedure earlier this offseason, Lions coach Dan Campbell mentioned Sunday.
“Levi’s surgical procedure was vital, however it wanted to be finished,” Campbell mentioned. “Out of his management, however wanted to be finished, so he’ll miss the season.”
Campbell revealed the character of the damage because the Lions opened coaching camp Sunday, three days after Onwuzurike was positioned on the reserve/bodily unable to carry out checklist, the place he would have missed a minimum of the primary 4 video games of the common season.
“You do not prefer to lose anyone,” Campbell mentioned. “Actually, shedding Levi, that hurts, however it helps that we have (rookie defensive lineman) Tyleik (Williams), so we have got a little bit little bit of steadiness right here.”
Onwuzurike signed a one-year cope with the Lions within the offseason after a bounce-back season in 2024 the place he returned from a again damage, which required spinal fusion surgical procedure, that he suffered in 2022.
The 27-year-old began in 10 of his 16 appearances final season, registering 28 complete tackles, 1.5 sacks and a career-high 13 quarterback hits.
The Lions additionally positioned defensive tackles Alim McNeill and Mekhi Wingo on the energetic/PUP checklist in addition to left deal with Taylor Decker, cornerback Khalil Dorsey, guard Miles Frazier and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez.
Campbell anticipates Decker returning to the lineup after the Lions’ Corridor of Fame preseason sport towards the Los Angeles Chargers on July 31.
“He is good. He simply cleaned out the shoulder a little bit bit, and we will work him again when he is able to go get the energy again,” Campbell mentioned. “However he is in place.”
