When should Detroit expect Alim McNeill and Malcolm Rodriguez to return from injuries?
When should Detroit expect Alim McNeill and Malcolm Rodriguez to return from injuries?
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
1/10/22 ⟶ 12/4/22 = 10 months + 3 weeks Kyler Murray 12/12/22 ⟶ 11/12/23 = 11 months
12/12/22 ⟶ 11/12/23 = 11 months TJ Hockenson 12/24/23 ⟶ 11/3/24 = 10 months + 1 week
12/24/23 ⟶ 11/3/24 = 10 months + 1 week Tyler Higbee 1/14/24 ⟶ 12/22/24 = 11 months + 1 week
1/14/24 ⟶ 12/22/24 = 11 months + 1 week Talanoa Hufanga 11/19/23 ⟶ 9/22/24 = 10 months
11/19/23 ⟶ 9/22/24 = 10 months Kendrick Bourne 10/29/23 ⟶ 10/6/24 = 11 months + 1 week
10/29/23 ⟶ 10/6/24 = 11 months + 1 week Daniel Jones 11/5/23 ⟶ 9/8/24 = 10 months
11/5/23 ⟶ 9/8/24 = 10 months Rashan Gary 11/6/22 ⟶ 9/10/23 = 10 months
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
(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
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