BREAKING NEWS: Detroit Lions Suffer Huge Setback as Levi Onwuzurike Is Ruled Out for Season With Torn ACL Injury
The Detroit Lions have been dealt a crushing blow before the 2025 NFL season even kicks off.
On Monday afternoon, team officials confirmed that defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike will miss the entire 2025 season after suffering a torn ACL during practice. The injury occurred during non-contact drills early in training camp and was initially believed to be a minor tweak. However, subsequent testing revealed the full extent of the damage — a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
The news was met with a wave of disappointment throughout the Lions organization and among its fiercely loyal fanbase. Onwuzurike, known for his blue-collar mentality and relentless motor, had been expected to play a key role on Detroit’s defensive front this season. He was entering a pivotal contract year, and expectations were high for him to take another leap forward after a strong finish to the 2024 campaign.
For a player who’s already overcome so much, this is another obstacle in what has been an uphill NFL journey. Drafted in the second round in 2021 out of Washington, Onwuzurike came into the league as a promising disruptor. But his first few years in the league have been marred by injury — including a lingering back issue that caused him to miss the entire 2022 season. He bounced back in 2023 and played all 17 games last season, notching a career-high 4.5 sacks, 33 tackles, and 9 quarterback hits. He was projected to rotate heavily in the interior this year, helping to bolster the pass rush and shore up Detroit’s run defense alongside Alim McNeill and DJ Reader.
Now, the Lions will have to move forward without their high-motor defensive tackle — a gut punch for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
“It’s a tough loss,” says Dan Campbell
Lions head coach Dan Campbell, visibly emotional during his Tuesday press conference, didn’t mince words about how much Onwuzurike’s presence meant both on and off the field.
“It’s a tough loss. There’s no sugarcoating it,” Campbell said. “Levi is a warrior. He gives you everything he’s got, every snap, every practice, every rep. We’re going to miss him, and we’re going to rally behind him as he begins the recovery process.”
Campbell said the team found out the results of the MRI late Monday night and that Onwuzurike addressed the team earlier in the day.
“He told the guys, ‘Don’t feel sorry for me. Just keep pushing. I’ll be back,’” Campbell added. “That’s the kind of guy he is. Total pro. Total competitor.”
What this means for Detroit’s defensive line
The loss of Onwuzurike significantly impacts the Lions’ defensive line depth. While starters Alim McNeill and DJ Reader are still in place, Onwuzurike was expected to provide critical rotational snaps, especially in passing situations. His athleticism and ability to penetrate gaps made him a versatile weapon against both the run and the pass.
The team may now need to lean more heavily on Brodric Martin, a 2023 third-round pick out of Western Kentucky who’s shown flashes but is still considered a developmental player. Veteran Tyson Alualu, who was signed this offseason, could also see an increased workload, though his best years are behind him.
It’s also possible that Detroit may dip back into free agency or explore trade options to bolster the interior depth. With expectations sky-high heading into the 2025 season — many analysts picking the Lions to win the NFC North again and potentially reach the Super Bowl — there’s little room for setbacks like this to go unaddressed.
General Manager Brad Holmes, who has received praise in recent years for savvy roster-building, may be on the phone sooner rather than later.
The locker room reaction: “We’re playing for Levi”
Inside the locker room, the sentiment is clear — Levi Onwuzurike is more than just a teammate. He’s a leader. A grinder. And his absence leaves an emotional void as well as a strategic one.
Veteran edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson took to social media shortly after the announcement, tweeting:
“Tough one for the squad. Levi is a beast and a brother. We’ll hold it down for you, 9️⃣1️⃣ 💪”
McNeill echoed similar sentiments when speaking to reporters after practice:
“This hurts, man. Levi’s my dawg. He’s worked his tail off. We all saw how hard he came back from that back injury. It’s just not fair. But we’re going to make sure his work doesn’t go to waste. We’re playing for him this year.”
Onwuzurike, ever stoic, posted a short message on his Instagram story:
“Setback is just setup for something greater. I’ll be back. Appreciate all the love.”
That kind of grit and determination is exactly why Onwuzurike has become such a fan favorite in Detroit. He embodies the blue-collar toughness the city values, and this injury only seems to strengthen the bond between the player and the community.
Lions fans rally behind #91
It didn’t take long for the Lions faithful to make their feelings known.
By Tuesday morning, a hashtag — #91Strong — began trending across social media in Detroit. Fans are already planning to wear Onwuzurike jerseys to the team’s season opener, and a local fan group is organizing a banner drop at Ford Field for Week 1.
“Levi’s one of us,” said longtime fan Micah Ellis, who runs the popular Lions fan account Roar On Sundays. “He’s battled back from injuries before, and we’ve watched him grow into a key piece. This sucks, no doubt — but this city is behind him.”
Some fans have even suggested that Onwuzurike be named an honorary team captain for 2025 — a testament to his influence and respect within the locker room and the community.
A setback, not the end
As the Lions move forward in camp and adjust their defensive schemes to account for Onwuzurike’s absence, there’s a quiet confidence that this team has the depth, the leadership, and the heart to overcome the loss.
This is still a team stacked with talent — Hutchinson, McNeill, Reader, Brian Branch, Derrick Barnes, and Jack Campbell lead a young, fast, and aggressive defense. But they’ll be missing a key voice and a key performer in #91.
The hope now is that Onwuzurike’s recovery goes smoothly and that he can return in 2026 stronger than ever. Medical advancements in ACL recovery have significantly shortened recovery times, and the Lions’ medical staff is among the league’s most trusted. Onwuzurike’s history of resilience — from college through his early NFL injuries — suggests he’ll be more than capable of handling the rehab grind.
Until then, Detroit will have to rally in his absence.
Injuries are an unfortunate reality in the NFL, but some sting more than others. Levi Onwuzurike’s torn ACL is one of those that hurts on multiple levels. Not just because of what he brings to the field — disruption, energy, versatility — but because of what he represents to this Detroit Lions franchise.
He’s not just another name on the depth chart. He’s a tone-setter. A locker room warrior. A guy who leads by example. And though his season ends before it begins, his presence will still loom large in Detroit’s 2025 campaign.
Here’s hoping for a smooth, speedy recovery for Levi Onwuzurike. The city’s behind him. The team’s behind him. And the season — though harder now — marches forward.
#91Strong.
