Detroit Lions lose DL Levi Onwuzurike for the 2025 season to a torn ACL. See how coach Dan Campbell plans to overcome this major training camp injury.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The roar of a new season was met with an immediate gut punch in Allen Park. Just as training camp got underway, the Detroit Lions confirmed the devastating news that defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike will miss the entire 2025 season after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL. It's a cruel blow for the former second-round pick, but in true Dan Campbell fashion, the message from the top was clear: the standard does not change.
Levi's surgery, it was significant but it needed to be done. Out of his control, so he will miss the season.
The news on Levi Onwuzurike is a tough pill to swallow. Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed the season-ending ACL injury, the second major injury to sideline the promising lineman in his young career. The injury bug didn't stop there, with cornerback Ennis Rakestraw also leaving the first practice with a chest injury. The Lions are also managing the returns of key veterans, with left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) expected back after the Hall of Fame game and defensive lineman Josh Paschal targeting an early September return. While the team is optimistic about getting healthy, Onwuzurike's absence creates a significant hole on the interior defensive line that must be filled.
If fans were looking for panic from the head coach, they didn't find it. Addressing the media, Dan Campbell met the adversity head-on. He expressed confidence in the team's defensive line depth, specifically mentioning players like Tyson Alualu as guys ready to step into a larger role. 'Next man up' isn't just a cliche in Detroit; it's a core tenet of Campbell's program. His calm demeanor and praise for the opportunities created by injuries set a powerful tone, reassuring the team and the fanbase that the plan remains the same, even if the personnel has changed.
The players are echoing their coach's sentiment. After a franchise-best 15-2 season, the Lions are well aware of the external talk about potential regression. But inside the locker room, the focus is internal. 'We control that narrative,' one player told reporters. 'If we come in here and work every day then it's going to show up on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays.' This mindset of accountability is crucial as the team faces its first real test. Players returning from their own offseason injuries expressed relief to be back, underscoring a collective hunger to build on last year's success, not just repeat it.
Day one of training camp delivered a harsh dose of NFL reality, but it also revealed the unshakeable culture this front office and coaching staff have built. The loss of Onwuzurike hurts, no question. But the response from Campbell and the players shows a team that won't be defined by a single injury. All eyes now turn to the defensive line battles in camp and the preseason opener against the Chargers on July 31. Who will step up to fill the void? The answer to that question will shape the Lions' championship defense.
