Detroit Lions face major injury woes before 2025 camp, placing Decker, McNeill, and Onwuzurike on the PUP list. Can Aidan Hutchinson carry the team?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just as the Honolulu Blue Kool-Aid was reaching peak flavor ahead of training camp, the Detroit Lions delivered a sobering dose of reality on Thursday. The team announced a slew of roster moves, placing several key starters on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, immediately testing the team's depth before a single padded practice has begun.
Three years, $123 million. That's the new price of poker for an elite edge rusher, thanks to T.J. Watt, and it's a number that will be looming large over every sack Aidan Hutchinson makes this season.
The list of sidelined players is significant. Starting left tackle Taylor Decker and defensive tackle Alim McNeill headline the group placed on the active/PUP list, meaning they can be activated at any point during camp. They're joined by rookie guard Miles Frazier, cornerback Khalil Dorsey, linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, and rookie defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo. The news is worse for DT Levi Onwuzurike, who landed on the reserve/PUP list after a strong comeback season in 2024; he'll now miss at least the first four games of the regular season. With DE Josh Paschal and CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver III on the non-football injury list, the Lions' depth on both sides of the ball is facing an immediate and significant test.
Amidst the concerning injury news, there was a massive bright spot: Aidan Hutchinson is officially back. After his historic sack pace was cut short by a season-ending broken leg last year, reports confirm Hutchinson is fully recovered and showed explosive form during OTAs. Having the team's defensive cornerstone and emotional leader ready to go from Day 1 is a huge boost. The Lions' Super Bowl aspirations hinge on their pass rush, and a healthy Hutchinson is the engine that drives it. Now, the question becomes who will be lining up with him.
With Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, and Mekhi Wingo all starting camp on the sidelines, the health of Marcus Davenport has never been more critical. Re-signed on a prove-it deal after his own injury-plagued 2024, Davenport is projected to be the primary bookend to Hutchinson. If he can stay on the field, the duo has the potential to be one of the league's most formidable. Meanwhile, the future cost of that pass rush just skyrocketed. The Pittsburgh Steelers made T.J. Watt the highest-paid non-QB ever with a three-year, $123 million extension. That $41 million annual average value is the new benchmark, and you can bet Hutchinson's agent has taken note. While Hutch is under contract through 2026, the Lions' front office is now staring at a massive future investment to keep their homegrown star.
Even with all the success, it seems some Lions stars are still fighting for national respect. On Thursday's 'Wake Up Woodward,' the panel discussed how wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown continues to be undervalued in league-wide rankings despite consistently elite production. It’s a familiar narrative for Lions fans, who know the Sun God is a top-tier talent. It's just another piece of motivation for a team that, despite being considered an NFC powerhouse, still seems to carry a chip on its shoulder.
Thursday was a classic reality check for the Lions and their fans. The excitement of a fully healthy Aidan Hutchinson is tempered by the reality of injuries to other crucial players. The team's depth will be tested from the opening whistle of training camp. While the long-term future looks bright with stars like Hutchinson and St. Brown, the immediate path to a championship will depend on health, resilience, and the 'next man up' stepping into a major role. The journey begins now, and it's already proving to be a bumpy ride.
