Lions players coming off injury to watch in OTAs
Lions players coming off injury to watch in OTAs
With the Lions first OTA (organized team activities) starting today, here are players to watch who are coming off injuries. Some of these players have yet to be seen this offseason, so their first appearance may be very informative.
The dates of OTA are May 28-30 and June 3-5. After OTA's are over, I'll check back to recap what we learned about these players.
Important to note that OTA's are voluntary so an absence doesn't necessarily indicate a health issue. The Lions cancelled their mandatory minicamp which was scheduled for June 10-12. Thus any players that skip OTA's may not be seen until training camp starts in late July.
Aidan Hutchinson
Left tibia/fibula fracture - October 13, 2024
His last rehab video showed that he still had some weakness in his left leg. What will his participation level be during OTA? Full participation would be fantastic of course, but I suspect he'll still be cautiously limited as he gradually ramps up towards training camp.
Any limitation he has during OTA should not be cause for concern as all indications are he is on-track to be ready for the season opener at Lambeau.
Alim McNeill
Right ACL - December 15, 2024
It sounds like rehab is going smoothly so far, but I wouldn't expect any football activities during OTA as he's still letting that ACL heal and rehabbing his leg. Maybe we'll see him doing some individual work on the side.
I expect a return around week 11 which is November 16 vs the Eagles. That 11-month timeline would still give him 8 regular season games plus playoffs.
Malcolm Rodriguez
Right ACL - November 28, 2024
Like McNeill, Rodriguez probably won't be doing any football activities yet. An 11-month recovery would have him return at the end of October.
Marcus Davenport
Left triceps rupture - September 22, 2024
I have yet to see any offseason updates on Davenport so this OTA could be the first glimpse of where he's at. There is a good chance that the triceps is ready to go, so hopefully he is a full participant.
Derrick Barnes
Right knee MCL/PCL - September 22, 2024
Barnes has shown up earlier at offseason workouts, albeit with significant right leg atrophy. He might not do everything at OTA but should be ready for the season.
Mekhi Wingo
Right knee meniscus - November 28, 2024
We have yet to see Wingo this offseason so OTA may tell us a lot. A suspected meniscus repair carries a multi-month recovery, but there is a good chance he is close to ready or even fully ready now.
Tyleik Williams
Hamstring strain - March 26, 2025
Williams appeared to strain his hamstring during his pro day and was limited during rookie minicamp. He may be ready to fully participate in OTA's.
Khalil Dorsey
Right tibia/fibula fracture - December 15, 2024
Dorsey has a similar injury to Hutchinson, but Dorsey's injury occurred two months later. He has a good chance to be ready for the start of the season but is unlikely to be doing anything too strenuous during these OTA's.
Amik Robertson
Left humerus fracture - January 18, 2025
The humerus is fully healed at this point and I'd expect full participation in OTA. There is no tackling in OTA so there shouldn't be any risk to his arm.
Ahmed Hassanein
Right ankle - December 31, 2024
The Lions 6th-rounder was playing through a suspected ankle sprain in his final college game. All indications are that he is fully recovered which means he should be a full participant in OTA.
Pat O'Connor
Calf - January 5, 2025
O'Connor participated in offseason workouts earlier so I expect him to be a full participant in OTA.
Ennis Rakestraw
Hamstring - November 23, 2024
The hamstring ended his season, but he was close to a return for the playoffs. He was at offseason workouts earlier so should be a full participant in OTA.
David Montgomery
Right MCL - December 15, 2024
In offseason workout pics, Montgomery looked strong and healthy. I'd expect him to be a full participant in OTA.
Graham Glasgow
Although Glasgow only missed one game last year with an unspecified knee issue, he was listed with a knee at least one other time during the year. Last year was a down year by his standards and a chronic or recurrent knee issue could have been a factor. It will be interesting to monitor how he is looking this offseason.
Christian Mahogany
While Mahogany looked very good in limited action last year, he was sporting a right knee brace all season. It's uncertain the reason for the brace but he does have a history of a right ACL tear in 2022. Will he still be wearing the brace in 2025?
Brodric Martin
Right knee hyperextension - August 24, 2024
The knee injury knocked him out of the first half of last season. He wasn't activated until mid-November and only played 25 defensive snaps all year. Could there have been lingering effects from the knee that sabotaged his season? Hopefully, his knee is fully healed and he looks good during OTA.
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