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Last year's catastrophic number of defensive injuries culminated in an early playoff exit for the Lions. This preseason, the team's health is off to a good start.
In my previous article, I had only three of this season's player injuries in the "Major Impact" category - Ennis Rakestraw, Levi Onwuzurike, and Josh Paschal. Only Rakestraw's injury actually occurred during this preseason, and none of these players are starters.
Not only have the Lions stayed pretty healthy so far, there are many promising returns from last year's injury-riddled season.
Here is my list of 10 players to watch who are coming back from health issues. None of them were allowed within smelling-salt sniffing distance of the field during preseason games. That means Week 1 at Green Bay will be our first chance to see how their recoveries are going in real game action. I then finish up with key players who should make their return later in the season.
By all accounts, Hutchinson is completely physically healthy and ready to dominate. (Off the field, his bank account is also ready to dominate after learning about Micah Parsons's new deal.)
There still may be a mental hurdle to overcome, which will be something to watch early in the season. It will be interesting to see if he has altered his technique at the point of contact with the QB to prevent the swinging leg whip that resulted in his fracture.
The past couple years have been rough for Davenport. The triceps tear ended last season in Week 3, but he had already missed a game earlier with a groin. The year prior, he only played four games due to a high ankle sprain that resulted in tightrope surgery.
Barnes had his season ended in Week 3 due to a cut block. The Lions showed a lot of confidence in his recovery by giving him a 3-year deal worth up to $25.5 million with $16 million guaranteed. Barnes may be counted on to help supplement the pass rush opposite Hutchinson.
The injury was curious because the initial management plan was to have surgery to end his season. This suggests that there might have been more going on than just a straightforward MCL, which typically doesn't require surgery.
After further opinions, Montgomery decided to forego surgery and was able to return for the playoff game. He didn't quite appear himself during that game, so his recovery status is still something to watch.
This presumed meniscus cartilage repair had a delayed recovery because of a follow-up knee scope earlier this summer. Cartilage damage can have an unpredictable recovery. He came off PUP on August 19 which is a positive sign as the Lions could have left him on PUP into the season.
The Lions are fairly healthy right now at the defensive tackle position with DJ Reader, Tyleik Williams, Roy Lopez, Pat O'Connor, and Chris Smith. Thus, Wingo may be an inactive early in the season, which would give him some ramp-up time.
Decker missed the first two weeks of training camp but has been doing fine since. He will be challenged in his first game back by the Packers new addition, Micah Parsons... if Parsons can play through his facet joint pain.
Knee cleanup typically means there was some cartilage damage causing symptoms. So far in camp, he has looked no worse for wear.
Offseason hip surgery didn't slow down Kerby Joseph last year when he ended up as an All-Pro. Hope for the same with Campbell.
Glasgow had a down season last year, possibly due to a chronic or recurrent knee issue. More recently, he suffered a left lower leg injury about two weeks ago in camp. Dan Campbell has stated that the leg issue is minor. With Frank Ragnow's retirement, Glasgow's health will be very important to the offensive line.
Dorsey stayed true to recovery expectations when he came off PUP on August 18. While he may be an inactive in Week 1 to gradually ramp-up, he should be fully healthy soon.
Frazier was seemingly healthy during his college career, so the knee issue may be something new that happened during the offseason. He started training camp on PUP (physically unable to perform list) and remains on it into the season. That means he'll miss at least the first four games, with his earliest possible return on October 5 vs the Bengals.
Frazier recently posted an encouraging update on his Instagram suggesting he is ramping up his workouts.
As expected, McNeill was kept on PUP into the season. A fairly typical 11-month recovery would put his return in November. Keep in mind that while ACL recoveries are very reliable, players may not get back to their previous level of performance in their first season back.
The Lions strategy may be to slow-play his return so he can peak around playoff time.
As expected, Rodriguez stayed on PUP into the season. I'd expect a return in late October or early November. His target return might be after the bye on November 2 vs the Vikings.
This surgery must have happened during the offseason. He started camp on NFI (non-football injury) and remains on it into the season. Like PUP, it means he'll miss at least the first four games.
A "cleanup" surgery suggests an orthopedic joint issue. The multi-month recovery, as well as the curious NFI designation (versus PUP), means that there is a lot of uncertainty regarding his timeline and his ability to get back to his previous level of performance.
Paschal does have a history of overcoming malignant melanoma, but it's very unlikely a "cleanup" surgery would be related to that.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions preview: Top 10 player health issues to watch to start 2025
Continue reading...
In my previous article, I had only three of this season's player injuries in the "Major Impact" category - Ennis Rakestraw, Levi Onwuzurike, and Josh Paschal. Only Rakestraw's injury actually occurred during this preseason, and none of these players are starters.
Not only have the Lions stayed pretty healthy so far, there are many promising returns from last year's injury-riddled season.
Here is my list of 10 players to watch who are coming back from health issues. None of them were allowed within smelling-salt sniffing distance of the field during preseason games. That means Week 1 at Green Bay will be our first chance to see how their recoveries are going in real game action. I then finish up with key players who should make their return later in the season.
________________________________
NOW PLAYING
#1 Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE
- Left tib/fib fracture - October 13, 2024
By all accounts, Hutchinson is completely physically healthy and ready to dominate. (Off the field, his bank account is also ready to dominate after learning about Micah Parsons's new deal.)
There still may be a mental hurdle to overcome, which will be something to watch early in the season. It will be interesting to see if he has altered his technique at the point of contact with the QB to prevent the swinging leg whip that resulted in his fracture.
#2 Marcus Davenport, EDGE
- Left triceps tear - September 22, 2024
The past couple years have been rough for Davenport. The triceps tear ended last season in Week 3, but he had already missed a game earlier with a groin. The year prior, he only played four games due to a high ankle sprain that resulted in tightrope surgery.
#3 Derrick Barnes, LB
- Right MCL/PCL - September 22, 2024
Barnes had his season ended in Week 3 due to a cut block. The Lions showed a lot of confidence in his recovery by giving him a 3-year deal worth up to $25.5 million with $16 million guaranteed. Barnes may be counted on to help supplement the pass rush opposite Hutchinson.
#4 David Montgomery, RB
- Right MCL - December 15, 2024
The injury was curious because the initial management plan was to have surgery to end his season. This suggests that there might have been more going on than just a straightforward MCL, which typically doesn't require surgery.
After further opinions, Montgomery decided to forego surgery and was able to return for the playoff game. He didn't quite appear himself during that game, so his recovery status is still something to watch.
#5 Mekhi Wingo, DT
- Right knee meniscus - November 28, 2024
This presumed meniscus cartilage repair had a delayed recovery because of a follow-up knee scope earlier this summer. Cartilage damage can have an unpredictable recovery. He came off PUP on August 19 which is a positive sign as the Lions could have left him on PUP into the season.
The Lions are fairly healthy right now at the defensive tackle position with DJ Reader, Tyleik Williams, Roy Lopez, Pat O'Connor, and Chris Smith. Thus, Wingo may be an inactive early in the season, which would give him some ramp-up time.
#6 Taylor Decker, OT
- Right shoulder cleanup surgery - June/July 2025
Decker missed the first two weeks of training camp but has been doing fine since. He will be challenged in his first game back by the Packers new addition, Micah Parsons... if Parsons can play through his facet joint pain.
#7 Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR
- Knee cleanup surgery - offseason
Knee cleanup typically means there was some cartilage damage causing symptoms. So far in camp, he has looked no worse for wear.
Amon-Ra St Brown offseason knee surgery recovery
-Likely arthroscopic cartilage clean-up
-Short-term concerns have been alleviated as he is looking great in camp
-Just 25yo and primed for another monster season pic.twitter.com/qPPMuh65oT
— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) August 4, 2025
#8 Jack Campbell, LB
- Hip surgery - offseason
Offseason hip surgery didn't slow down Kerby Joseph last year when he ended up as an All-Pro. Hope for the same with Campbell.
#9 Graham Glasgow, C
- Left lower leg - August 21, 2025
Glasgow had a down season last year, possibly due to a chronic or recurrent knee issue. More recently, he suffered a left lower leg injury about two weeks ago in camp. Dan Campbell has stated that the leg issue is minor. With Frank Ragnow's retirement, Glasgow's health will be very important to the offensive line.
#10 Khalil Dorsey, CB
- Right tib/fib fracture - December 15, 2024
Dorsey stayed true to recovery expectations when he came off PUP on August 18. While he may be an inactive in Week 1 to gradually ramp-up, he should be fully healthy soon.
______________________________
COMING SOON
Miles Frazier, OG
- Unspecified knee injury - unknown date
Frazier was seemingly healthy during his college career, so the knee issue may be something new that happened during the offseason. He started training camp on PUP (physically unable to perform list) and remains on it into the season. That means he'll miss at least the first four games, with his earliest possible return on October 5 vs the Bengals.
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Frazier recently posted an encouraging update on his Instagram suggesting he is ramping up his workouts.
Alim McNeill, DT
- Right ACL - December 15, 2024
As expected, McNeill was kept on PUP into the season. A fairly typical 11-month recovery would put his return in November. Keep in mind that while ACL recoveries are very reliable, players may not get back to their previous level of performance in their first season back.
The Lions strategy may be to slow-play his return so he can peak around playoff time.
Malcolm Rodriguez, LB
- Right ACL - November 28, 2024
As expected, Rodriguez stayed on PUP into the season. I'd expect a return in late October or early November. His target return might be after the bye on November 2 vs the Vikings.
Josh Paschal, EDGE
- Unspecified cleanup surgery - unknown date
This surgery must have happened during the offseason. He started camp on NFI (non-football injury) and remains on it into the season. Like PUP, it means he'll miss at least the first four games.
A "cleanup" surgery suggests an orthopedic joint issue. The multi-month recovery, as well as the curious NFI designation (versus PUP), means that there is a lot of uncertainty regarding his timeline and his ability to get back to his previous level of performance.
Paschal does have a history of overcoming malignant melanoma, but it's very unlikely a "cleanup" surgery would be related to that.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions preview: Top 10 player health issues to watch to start 2025
Continue reading...
