Lions Lose Defensive Tackle Onwuzurike Season-Long ACL Injury

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike will miss the entire 2025 NFL season due to a torn ACL, a significant setback for the team as he was poised to play a key rotational role following his best professional season. Onwuzurike, who signed a one-year contract worth up to $5.5 million, was recovering from previous back issues and spinal fusion surgery that limited his 2022 and 2023 seasons. His absence, along with injuries to other key defensive linemen such as Alim McNeill and Mekhi Wingo, has left the Lions' defensive line severely depleted. The team has placed several players, including Onwuzurike and left tackle Taylor Decker, on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, with some players expected to miss significant portions of the season. In response to the defensive line injuries, there is speculation that the Lions may sign free agent DeMarcus Walker, a versatile defensive end/defensive tackle hybrid, to bolster their defensive front. Head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged the severity of Onwuzurike's surgery and expressed confidence in Taylor Decker's recovery, but overall the injuries present a major challenge for the Lions' bid to contend in 2025.