Alim McNeill, a talented defensive tackle, sprained his knee during the Detroit Lions’ victory over the New Orleans Saints on December 3. As a result, McNeill will be out of the lineup for at least the next month.
According to ESPN, McNeill was placed on injured reserve by the Lions on December 5. This means he will miss the next four games at the very least, although he may be able to make a comeback in the playoffs. The Lions defense, which has already lost Emmanuel Moseley, a cornerback, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, a safety, will be severely hurt by this setback.
Lions Gain Depth Following Alim McNeill’s Death
With five sacks and 31 tackles through the first 12 games of the season, the 23-year-old defensive tackle is off to a solid start to his career.
With the addition of free agent Tyson Alualu to the practice squad, the Lions have already contributed to adding some depth at defensive tackle. Alualu will provide the practice squad an experienced presence, as ESPN pointed out.
“Alualu, 36, spent the last six seasons in Pittsburgh after being selected by Jacksonville in the first round (2010) with the 10th overall pick,” the article stated. “With the Jaguars (2010–16) and Steelers (2017–22), he has 25 sacks, 70 QB hits, 416 tackles, and four forced fumbles in 191 games (113 starts).”
Last season, the Lions converted McNeill from nose tackle to a 3-tech defensive lineman; given the increased mobility required for the new position, the 23-year-old had a major metamorphosis. According to a June report by SI.com’s Jeff Risdon, he added a substantial amount of muscle throughout the summer while losing 13% of his body fat.
The Lions lose a defensive starter in McNeill at a crucial time when they are trying to win their first divisional championship in almost thirty years and are getting closer to mathematically securing a postseason spot.
This season, Alim McNeill had been a “force.”
McNeill has been a defensive “force” this season, as observed by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, and he has received game balls from head coach Dan Campbell in victories over the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Despite having one of his best seasons to date, McNeill told the Detroit Free Press he still thinks he can get better.
If we’re talking one-on-one, I really don’t think I’ve done enough, McNeill stated. “I always strive to give it my all and perform at the highest level on the field. You can’t ask a question like that, though, me. I’ll always try to sidestep it. I’ve never claimed to play well.
McNeill claimed to have gained confidence in his ability to play the game more casually, putting less emphasis on past errors and more on his new position on the defensive line.
McNeill remarked, “I was just thinking too much about things that didn’t even apply to me.” “I was simply thinking, ‘What if they do this?'” All I have to do is focus on my work and the task at hand, and that is exactly what I am doing.
“I was making up scenarios in my head, just thinking way too much. But now I’m a lot more comfortable out there, I know what’s going on, I know what I’m doing, I know what they’re doing, stuff like that.”
