Lions raining camp medical preview: Defensive tackles

USA Today

3 days ago

The Lions rookies report to training camp today with the veterans to follow later. So let's start the training camp medical preview with the defensive tackle position. This position may have the most medical question marks on the entire team - which may be a big reason for the selection of Tyleik Williams in the 1st round of the draft.
In 2024, the Lions only kept four DT's on the initial 53-man roster (Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Levi Onwuzurike, Mekhi Wingo), so there may not be many spots up for grabs. Here is the list of DT's starting with the players with the biggest medical question marks entering the season. Ages are at the start of the season.
#1: Alim McNeill - 25yo
While there isn't much long-term concern with the ACL, there are definitely short-term ramifications. Due to the late-season timing of the injury, McNeill likely won't be ready until mid-November. Even when he returns, it will take him time to get back to his previous level of performance. He may not get back to where he was until the 2026 season.
Projection: McNeill will start camp on PUP (physically unable to perform list) and stay on it for a few weeks into the season. With an estimated 11-month return-to-play, he triumphantly returns on November 16 (Week 11) in an important clash vs the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles. His snaps and production are limited at first, but by the end of the regular season, he is showing increasing flashes of his old self.
#2: Mekhi Wingo - 22yo
Last year as a rookie, Wingo's season ended with a reported meniscus tear - but there are no specifics beyond that. His duration of absence suggests that he had a meniscus repair as opposed to a simple trim. A repair might have a better long-term outcome but carries a longer absence in the short-term.
He was still limited at OTA last month which raises some concern. His status for the start of training camp is a mystery.
Projection: His meniscus injury should be ready by the start of camp, but a stint on PUP is possible. If the Lions decide to play the roster management game, they could choose to extend his PUP stay into the season. If he comes off PUP during camp, he almost certainly makes the 53-man roster based on his age and promising play last season.
#3: Brodric Martin - 26yo
Martin had a disappointing 2nd-season playing just 25 defensive snaps all year. The hope is that the lost season was simply due to the preseason knee injury that is now healed up. However, he was still limited at OTA in June which could be a harbinger of what's to come on cutdown day.
Projection: If he's a full participant at the start of camp, there is hope he can rebound from last season. He'll have an extra preseason game (4 total) this year to prove himself worthy of his 3rd-round status.
#4: DJ Reader - 31yo
Coming off a ruptured quad tendon, Reader rebounded impressively last season by playing in 16 games. This offseason, he stated he was healthy and did not have any surgeries. His main concern going forward is durability due to the history of bilateral quad tendon tears and his age of 31. His limited participation in OTA was likely for precautionary reasons.
Projection: Reader will pick up where he left off last year as a solid starter in the middle of the line. His snap count will need to be managed throughout the season to keep him healthy.
#5: Levi Onwuzurike - 27yo
This former 2nd-rounder's unprecedented recovery from this kind of back surgery has been remarkable. But the fusion carries durability concerns the rest of his career. Those concerns may have been why he was only able to secure a modest, 1-year contract ($4 million plus incentives) this offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
While he was very reliable last season playing in 17 of 18 games, his reliability going forward remains something to watch. He had a limited participation in OTA likely to minimize his workload.
Projection: Onwuzurike will be ready for the start of the season and be a key rotational DT. His workload both in practice and games may need to be managed given his back history.
#6: Tyleik Williams - 22yo
This rookie 1st-rounder will be counted on to make an immediate impact with McNeill out. His offseason was hampered due to a presumed mild hamstring strain suffered during his pro day in March. While he was still limited at OTA in June, he'll likely be ready for the start of training camp.
Projection: Williams should be fully ready for the start of the season and play a significant percentage of snaps.
#7: Myles Adams - 27yo
Adams was surprisingly a limited participant in OTA despite being medically clean throughout his career. He played 82 defensive snaps last season without an issue. His status for the start of camp is worth watching.
Projection: The practice-squad seems the likely role for Adams.
#8: Pat O'Connor - 31yo
O'Connor performed well last season as a backup. He was logging a significant percentage of snaps (~50%) towards the end of the year as defensive line injuries mounted. A calf injury ended his season in the final regular season game, but that's not a concern anymore as he was a full participant at OTA.
Projection: Given his solid performance last year, he has an excellent chance to earn a job as a key backup this season. Whether O'Connor makes the 53-man roster may depend on the play of the younger players during preseason.
#9: Roy Lopez - 28yo
After four reliable years in the NFL, Lopez might have the cleanest bill of health of the entire defense, which bodes well for his durability going forward. The Lions seem to agree, as they gave him a 1-year, $3.5 million (plus incentives) contract that was mostly guaranteed.
Projection: He'll make the 53 man roster and play a lot throughout the season.
#10: Chris Smith - 25yo
Smith played 47 defensive snaps last year which was his first regular season action in the NFL. He should be fully healthy going into the season.
Projection: As one of the younger members of this group, Smith will be in the mix to earn a practice-squad, backup role with the team. Expect to see him a lot in preseason games.
#11: Raequan Williams - 28yo
Williams hasn't played in the NFL since 2021 which suggests he's a long-shot to make the team. He was on IR all last season with the Panthers for undisclosed reasons.
Projection: It would be a surprise to see him make the 53-man roster.