When should Detroit expect Alim McNeill and Malcolm Rodriguez to return from injuries?

[ASFN Admin]

Despite an overwhelming number of defensive injuries in 2024, almost all the injured players are expected to be ready for the opener on September 7 at Lambeau Field. The exceptions are Alim McNeill and Malcolm Rodriguez who had late-season ACL tears.

Now that the schedule has been released, let's take a look at the specific game that we can expect to see their return. Looking at the return-to-play data of recent NFL players with late-season ACL's, we can anticipate a 10-11 month gap between live game action.

Here are some recent cases. The first date is the ACL injury, the second date is the next appearance in an NFL game, and finally the length of absence.

• Jameson Williams 1/10/22 ⟶ 12/4/22 = 10 months + 3 weeks
• Kyler Murray 12/12/22 ⟶ 11/12/23 = 11 months
• TJ Hockenson 12/24/23 ⟶ 11/3/24 = 10 months + 1 week
• Tyler Higbee 1/14/24 ⟶ 12/22/24 = 11 months + 1 week
• Talanoa Hufanga 11/19/23 ⟶ 9/22/24 = 10 months
• Kendrick Bourne 10/29/23 ⟶ 10/6/24 = 11 months + 1 week
• Daniel Jones 11/5/23 ⟶ 9/8/24 = 10 months
• Rashan Gary 11/6/22 ⟶ 9/10/23 = 10 months
• Von Miller 11/24/22 ⟶ 10/8/23 = 10 months + 2 weeks

If there is significant associated damage (which is not suspected with McNeill or Rodriguez), the timeline can stretch beyond a year:

• Jack Conklin (ACL/MCL/PCL/meniscus) 9/10/23 ⟶10/13/24 = 13 months
• Nick Chubb (ACL/MCL/meniscus/medial capsule) 9/18/23 ⟶ 10/20/24 = 13 months

For all you eternal optimists, seek inspiration from this former Lion:

• Adrian Peterson 12/24/11 ⟶ 9/9/12 = 8 months + 2 weeks

CONCLUSION​

Based on recent data, a 10 to 11 month return-to-play is expected. I would expect to see McNeill and Rodriguez closer to the 11-month mark for both player and team reasons. With Rodriguez who is in the final year of his rookie contract, he will still be able to show many games of proof of recovery with a return at the 11-month mark. With McNeill who signed an extension last offseason which carries through 2028, there is no financial/contractual reason to rush a return.

For the team whose goals are firmly planted now in playoff success, a longer recovery timeline increases the chances that both players will be healthy for the end-of-season and playoffs.

OUTLOOK​

McNeill ACL - December 15, 2024

Rodriguez ACL - November 28, 2024

Here are their target return games with an 11-month return-to-play:

1: @ GB2: vs CHI3: @ BAL4: vs CLE5: @ CIN6: @ KC7: vs TB8: Bye9: vs MIN - Malcolm Rodriguez10: @ WAS11: @ PHI - Alim McNeill12: vs. NYG13: vs GB14: vs DAL15: @ LAR16: vs PIT17: @ MIN18: @ CHI

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: When to expect injured Alim McNeill and Malcolm Rodriguez to return

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