Lions predicted Another Key Defensive player will Depart Due to report that he may not be ready for the start of the next season

The timing of his ruptured ACL (mid-December) suggests that Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill may not be ready for the start of the next season. The day following the team’s season-ending loss, McNeill acknowledged the inherent unpredictability of his timeline at this stage.

“As far as time, I have no idea,” McNeill remarked. “I’m taking things day by day right now. I’m just going through the procedure right now.”

An ACL tear typically requires a 9-12 healing period. It’s unclear whether McNeill sustained any more knee damage that could complicate his recovery, but that timetable covers the majority of next season.

Given the uncertainty surrounding McNeill’s health, many Lions supporters would argue that they should simply re-sign defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike and be done with it. However, the decision to re-sign Onwuzurike is not that simple, as the market for his skills may exceed the Lions’ willingness to pay and commit.

Lions expected to pursue Alim McNeill insurance during free agency.
Going into the offseason, the Lions have plenty of cap space again. McNeill is likely to have some type of insurance against a prolonged recuperation. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report predicted the Lions would sign defensive tackle B.J. Hill.

“Hill is expected to sign with the Detroit Lions. They dealt with multiple defensive injuries in 2024, losing standout defensive tackle Alim McNeill to a ruptured ACL in Week 15. Adding Hill would provide insurance during his recovery, and the Lions could need more defensive depth anyway. Hill is unlikely to be a great bargain, even at his age, but Detroit is expected to have $58 million in available cap space in 2025.”

Hill will be 30 in April, so he is on the older side. He missed two games this season, but he still performed admirably (three sacks, 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 34 quarterback pressures-PFF, tied for the 23rd-best overall grade among qualified defensive tackles on Pro Football Focus). Spotrac predicts him signing a two-year, $18 million contract in free agency.

The Lions’ potential signing of Hill would involve a reunion with DJ Reader on the inside of Detroit’s defensive line. Before signing with the Lions this summer, Reader and Hill played together in Cincinnati for three seasons (2021-2023), forming one of the league’s best defensive tackle duos.

It would make a lot of sense for Hill to be on the Lions’ radar as they build a defensive front plan this offseason, especially given McNeill’s recuperation.

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