The Detroit Lions lost their July 31 preseason opener to the Chargers, but the bigger story is a season-ending ACL injury for DT Levi Onwuzurike. Read more.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Football is officially back, but the return felt bittersweet for the Detroit Lions. While the team kicked off the 2025 NFL preseason in the Hall of Fame Game, the loss to the Los Angeles Chargers was hardly the main event. The real story of the day was written off the field, with a devastating injury confirmation and a practice session that boiled over with intensity, painting a picture of a team already facing significant adversity.
Levi is out for the year. Levi's surgery was significant, but it needed to be done.
The news fans had been dreading was made official Thursday: Defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike will miss the entire 2025 season after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL. Head coach Dan Campbell delivered the grim confirmation, stating the surgery was 'significant, but it needed to be done.' Onwuzurike's absence creates a massive hole in the defensive line's depth chart, a concern echoed by analysts across the city. The pressure now shifts squarely to first-round pick Tyleik Williams, who will be expected to step into a much larger role immediately.
In the game itself, the Lions fell to the Chargers in the nationally televised preseason opener. With most key starters, including those on the lengthy Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, watching from the sidelines, the contest was a proving ground for rookies and depth players. While the final score wasn't the focus, the game exposed the depth issues that injuries have created, particularly along the defensive front. It was a chance for backups to make a case for a roster spot, but the performance did little to quiet concerns about the team's current health.
If fans are looking for fight, they found it in the team's final practice before heading to Canton. The session was marked by at least four separate scuffles, with All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and defensive back Brian Branch tangling twice. The high-octane energy is being embraced by some, including rookie guard Tate Ratledge. 'That's a throwback to Georgia. That was everyday with [Georgia] coach [Kirby] Smart,' Ratledge said. While the intensity is a welcome sign of a competitive camp, it wasn't without consequence, as linebacker Derrick Barnes exited practice early with a hand injury.
Onwuzurike's injury is just the tip of the iceberg. The Lions opened camp with a staggering number of players on injury lists, including key linemen on both sides of the ball like OT Taylor Decker and DT Alim McNeill. The depleted offensive line is facing skepticism, but veteran OL Graham Glasgow pushed back, promising, 'I think we'll end up surprising 'em.' With so many key pieces sidelined, both the offensive and defensive lines will be under a microscope for the remainder of the preseason.
The Hall of Fame Game is in the rearview mirror, but the Lions' path forward is filled with question marks. The primary focus will be on navigating the significant injuries, particularly on the defensive line. Can rookies like Tyleik Williams and veterans like Graham Glasgow anchor their respective units? Will the fiery camp competitiveness translate to on-field dominance? One game is down, but the real tests for this team's depth and resilience have only just begun.
