Detroit Lions star defensive tackle Alim McNeill could return to play earlier than expected, according to general manager Brad Holmes.
There has never been a clear timetable for the return of Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill. The star defensive tackle tore his ACL on Dec. 15 in a game against the Buffalo Bills . The typical return for a torn ACL can take anywhere from eight to 12 months, and it tends to be closer to that 12-month end of the spectrum for players the stature of McNeill.
When asked back in April, coach Dan Campbell only provided vague expectations for McNeill’s return.
“It’s tough to say right now when Mac will be back. ACL’s are all a little bit different. Obviously, it’s not going to be training camp or probably even the early part of the season, but we will get him back,” Campbell said.
Since then, it’s mostly been quiet. McNeill has been spotted walking around the sidelines during training camp practices, but not much else. That is, until Tuesday.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes joined SiriusXM live from training camp, and provided a short, but optimistic update on McNeill .
“… still having Alim on his way back, which I think that, you know, that has a potential to be a little bit earlier than expected,” Holmes said. “Because he’s doing great right now.”
McNeill was quickly becoming one of the best defensive tackles in football over the past couple of years. In 2023, he produced PFF’s sixth-highest grade (88.5) among defensive tackles, tallied 5.0 sacks, and 34 pressures. Last year, he took his pass rush to a new level, earning 45 pressures and a 77.1 PFF pass rush grade (13th).
Holmes comments were made while he was making a larger point about the confidence in his defensive tackle room, despite the season-ending injury to Levi Onwuzurike.
“We were pretty chock-full with expecting Levi to play this year. But, you know, still having a (DJ) Reader, drafting Tyleik Williams, signing Roy Lopez in free agency, and still having Alim on his way back—which I think that, you know, that has a potential to be a little bit earlier than expected, because he’s doing great right now. I feel pretty confident. We feel very confident about that (room).”
As of now, though, the Lions are a bit shorthanded. Lopez is dealing with a minor foot injury, Mekhi Wingo is on the Physically Unable to Perform list and not expected to return until September, and Brodric Martin left Tuesday’s practice early with a foot injury. Still, Detroit has leaned on players like Pat O’Connor, Raequan Williams, and Chris Smith to help fortify their depth behind Reader and Tyleik Williams.
And it certainly sounds like the Lions expect McNeill to join them at some point this season, and quite possibly sooner rather than originally expected.