McNeill (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.
McNeill was a full participant in all three practices for the Lions' Week 6 prep, showing good progress in his recovery from a torn ACL in his right knee that he suffered in December. He hasn't been cleared to return quite yet, but the Lions are targeting Week 7 against the Buccaneers on Monday, Oct. 20 as McNeill's 2025 debut, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Logs full practice Wednesday
Rotowire
McNeill (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
McNeill had his 21-day window to be reinstated from the reserve/PUP list opened Oct. 1, but he was not cleared to play against the Bengals in Week 5. He's opened the week with a full practice, and if he can participate without restriction each of the next two days, he would put himself in a good position to make his 2025 debut against the Chiefs on Sunday. The 2021 third-rounder is in the final stages of his recovery from a torn ACL in his right knee that he suffered in December.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Chance to play Week 5
Rotowire
McNeill (knee) was a limited participant in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals.
McNeill practiced in a limited capacity all week, and head coach Dan Campbell told reporters Friday that McNeill has a "50/50 chance" of playing Sunday, per Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. If McNeill isn't cleared to return from the reserve/PUP list Sunday, the fifth-year defensive tackle would still be in a good spot to make his 2025 regular-season debut in Week 6 against the Chiefs on Sunday, Oct. 12. McNeill finished the 2024 regular season with 25 tackles (17 solo), including 3.5 sacks, one pass defense and one forced fumble across 14 games.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Officially limited Wednesday
Rotowire
McNeill (knee) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.
The Lions officially opened McNeill's 21-day practice window Wednesday, and it's no surprise for him to be limited in his first on-field activity since suffering a right ACL tear Week 15 of the 2024 season. Once fully healthy, McNeill is expected to join DJ Reader as a starter along the interior of Detroit's offensive line. It's unclear whether he could have a chance to be activated to the 53-man roster in time to play Sunday versus Cincinnati.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Designated to return
Rotowire
McNeill (knee) was designated to return from the reserve/PUP list Wednesday, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.
McNeill tore his ACL in Week 15 of last year and has missed the Lions' first four games this season. He now has 21 days to be added to Detroit's active roster before reverting to the reserve/PUP list. The NC State product is an integral part of the Lions' run defense, tallying 25 total tackles, including 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble over 14 regular-season games in 2024. Once healthy, he's expected to start alongside DJ Reader on Detroit's defensive line.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Begins year on PUP list
Rotowire
McNeill (knee) was placed on the reserve/PUP list Tuesday.
McNeill tore his ACL in Week 15 last season and is expected to be out at least the first two months of the season. His absence opens the door for rookie first-round pick Tyleik Williams to immediately start at defensive tackle next to DJ Reader, while Roy Lopez and Mekhi Wingo will also get extra tread. McNeill signed a four-year, $97 million contract in October of 2024, and he posted 25 tackles and 3.5 sacks through 14 games prior to his injury.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Likely to miss first few months
Rotowire
McNeill (knee) is expected to miss the first few months of the regular season, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.
McNeill tore his ACL in December and was placed on the active/PUP list Thursday. With McNeill's absence expected to stretch well into the regular season and Levi Onwuzurike (knee) already ruled out for the entire 2025 campaign, the Lions will be shorthanded on the interior of the defensive line.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Added to active/PUP list
Rotowire
McNeill (knee) was placed on the active/PUP list Thursday.
McNeill is eligible to return to practice at some point during training camp, though he's not ready to do so yet as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered in December. He's the favorite to start at defensive tackle once healthy.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Tears ACL
Rotowire
McNeill sustained a torn ACL in his right knee during Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Bills and will require season-ending surgery, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
An already decimated Detroit defense suffered more personnel losses coming out of the Week 15 loss, as McNeil and cornerbacks Carlton Davis (Jaw) and Khalil Dorsey (ankle) all emerged from the contest with season-ending injuries. McNeill, a valued run stuffer who signed a four-year, $97 million contract extension in October, will finish the campaign with 25 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble over 14 appearances. Levi Onwuzurike is likely to move into a starting role at defensive tackle next to DJ Reader in place of McNeill, whose recovery from knee surgery could extend into the start of the 2025 season.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Injury believed to be serious
Rotowire
Speaking after Sunday's loss to the Bills, coach Dan Campbell said he doesn't feel good about the chances of McNeill (knee) playing again this season, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
It's yet another potentially serious injury for the Detroit defense, as McNeill was injured in the third quarter Sunday and ruled out for the remainder of the game shortly after. Levi Onwuzurike is next up for snaps on the interior of the Lions' defensive line, a unit that has already lost seven players to injured reserve. Detroit's offense may have to turn things up a couple notches the rest of the way in order to make up for all of the injuries on the defensive side of the ball.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Clears protocol
Rotowire
McNeill (concussion) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bills.
McNeill practiced in full all week after sustaining a concussion in the Lions' Week 14 win over the Packers, and his omission from Friday's injury report indicates he has cleared the NFL's five-step protocol. With McNeill and DJ Reader both at full health, they're expected to cause problems for the Bills' interior run game in Week 15.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Records full practice Wednesday
Rotowire
McNeill (concussion) was a full practice participant Wednesday.
McNeill left last Thursday's win over the Packers early due to a concussion, but the extended time off between that game and the start of this week's practice schedule appears to have given him ample time to recover. Nonetheless, McNeill will need to clear the NFL's concussion protocol in order to suit up Sunday against the Bills.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Done for rest of Thursday night
Rotowire
McNeill (head) has been ruled out for the rest of Thursday's contest versus the Packers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
McNeill returned to the game in the first half after suffering a head injury early in the contest, but he was ruled out following halftime. In his absence, Brodric Martin and Myles Adams will handle the majority of the work at defensive tackle.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Returns to TNF
Rotowire
McNeill (head) returned to the field Thursday night versus the Packers, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
McNeill briefly exited the game in the first half to be evaluated for a concussion, ultimately returning to the field. With DJ Reader (shoulder) sidelined, McNeill will continue to operate as the top option on the interior defensive line against Green Bay.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Lands four-year extension
Rotowire
The Lions signed McNeill to a four-year contract extension Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
A third-round pick by the Lions in the 2021 NFL Draft, McNeill was in the final year of his rookie deal but will now spend the foreseeable future in Detroit. McNeill has started 41 of the 52 games he's appeared in with the Lions, logging 120 tackles (54 solo), including 10.5 sacks, 24 QB hits and one forced fumble. Playing 63 percent of the defensive snaps through five games to open the 2024 season, McNeill has eight tackles (five solo), including 2.5 sacks, four QB hits and one pass deflection. With Aidan Hutchinson (leg, IR) done for the year, the Lions will need others, including McNeill, to step up in the pass-rushing department.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Two sacks in blowout victory
Rotowire
McNeill recorded four total tackles (two solo), including 2.0 sacks, in Sunday's 47-9 win over the Cowboys.
McNeill got to Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott twice in Detroit's blowout victory, recording a sack in both the second quarter and fourth quarter. It was the second straight game in which the defensive lineman was able to get to the opposing quarterback. and he's now halfway to the career-high 5.0 sacks he set last season. Through five games in 2024, McNeill has now compiled eight total tackles (five solo), including 2.5 sacks, while also registering a pass defensed.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Day-to-day with shoulder issue
Rotowire
McNeil is considered day-to-day after leaving Sunday's 20-13 win over the Cardinals with a shoulder injury, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
McNeil's practice participation throughout the week will provide a better indication of his possible availability for Week 4, when the Lions face the Seahawks on Monday. The defensive tackle has recorded two tackles through the Lions' first three games.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Ruled out
Rotowire
McNeill (shoulder) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
The starting defensive tackle did not record a stat before exiting. Kyle Peko, Levi Onwuzurike and Mekhi Wingo are Detroit's backup defensive tackles.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Totals 5.0 sacks in 2023
Rotowire
McNeill logged 32 tackles, 5.0 sacks, one pass breakup and one forced fumble over 13 regular-season games in 2023.
McNeill consistently looked like one of the best players on a Detroit defense that made huge improvements in run defense between 2022 and 2023. Finishing among the top-20 defensive tackles in sacks, McNeill's contributions as a pass rusher were also important for a unit that is struggling to find a complement to star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. With each of McNeill and Hutchinson under contract in 2024 alongside a strong group of linebackers, the Lions defense, at a minimum, is returning the key pieces that made it an elite run defense in 2023.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Alim McNeill: Questionable for Sunday vs. Vikes
Rotowire
McNeill (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Vikings.
McNeill was a limited participant at practice all week, so his availability for Week 18 seems close to a coin-flip proposition. If he can't play Sunday, it will probably mean more snaps for rookie third-rounder Brodric Martin.
