Day 1 training camp medical updates after 1st Lions practice

USA Today

20-07-2025

Dan Campbell's first press conference of training camp dropped a bombshell regarding Levi Onwuzurike. Here are my quick takeaways, along with some Campbell quotes.
Levi Onwuzurike (27yo) - ACL surgery, out for season
When he was placed on reserve PUP, the implication was that the injury was very significant. Now we know some of the details.
Campbell intriguingly stated that the ACL surgery "needed to be done" which would not even be a question with a straightforward, complete ACL tear. Maybe this was a partial ACL tear which may or may not necessitate surgery.
The timing of the injury as well as the surgery are unknown, but would be fascinating to know. He was playing with a right knee brace at the end of last season which could be relevant.
The Lions signed him to a modest 1-year deal in March so there was clearly no concern from the team at that time. Presumably the injury happened after he signed his deal, but this isn't certain.
On the bright side, the injury is not related to his L5-S1 lumbar fusion of which he has made a remarkable recovery from.
OUTLOOK: An ACL has a very reliable recovery, but takes about 11 months to return to play. He should be ready for next season if this is an uncomplicated ACL repair.
From a team standpoint, the Lions were counting on him, as they gave him $3.5 million guaranteed this year. With already many other active health concerns at the DT position, the loss of Onwuzurike could have a major impact on the season.
Taylor Decker (32yo at start of season) - PUP, shoulder cleanup
"There's a good chance we can get him back after the Hall-of-Fame game [July 31]"
Campbell stated it was a shoulder cleanup and implied it wasn't too concerning.
Last year, Decker missed a game due to a rotator cuff which could be relevant. I did not see video evidence of the injury. He also had a right pec strain a couple weeks prior to the rotator cuff issue. In 2017, Decker had shoulder labrum surgery.
He was a full participant at OTA in June so it's possible something happened at that time.
OUTLOOK: It sounds like Decker will be fine in the short term. Notably, this is the second straight offseason that he's had a significant surgery (toe sesamoidectomy, ankle deltoid, bone spurs), so the wear on his body is starting to accumulate.
Josh Paschal (25yo) - NFI, unspecified cleanup
"Probably Labor Day we can start working him into practice."
Campbell described it as a cleanup but no specific body part was mentioned. Paschal was limited at June OTA, so it's possible this issue was present back then.
Paschal is on NFI (non-football injury) which implies that the injury occurred during personal time. He missed two games last season with a shoulder mass excision, and it's unknown if that's related.
OUTLOOK: This is a fairly significant issue considering he's still at least six weeks away - and may have been injured for many weeks already. His recovery from this injury and performance this season will be something to keep an eye on.
Players not practicing
These players were noted by Campbell as not practicing. Since they aren't on PUP/NFI, presumably the injuries, if any, are minimal. Campbell scoffed at the suggestion that Anzalone was a "hold-in", but this remains a distinct possibility.
Players on PUP/NFI who were not mentioned
In other news from the first day of practice...
Ennis Rakestraw - Chest injury
The mechanism was described by Nolan Bianchi as a collision which hopefully means it's just a simple contusion. Jeff Risdon described it as being "tied up" with a receiver, which would be a bit more concerning for a strain or tear. Body parts in the chest area include the pec, ribs, clavicle, lungs, and SC joint.