Lions hit with major injury blow before first training camp practice

The Detroit Lions kicked off training camp today in Allen Park as they prepare to play in the Hall of Fame Game on July 31. But the camp got started with bad news as they lost a key defender for the season...plus several other players on the injury list.

Dan Campbell delivers crushing injury update

The Lions opened training camp with nine players placed on the injury lists, including a few surprises. While players like Alim McNeill, Mekhi Wingo, and Malcolm Rodriguez were expected, the inclusion of Taylor Decker, Josh Paschal, and Levi Onwuzurike caught many off guard.

Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed that Onwuzurike underwent ACL surgery and will miss the entire 2025 season - his second major injury in five years.

“Let me start with Levi. Levi’s out for the year,” Campbell said. ”Levi’s surgery, it was significant but it needed to be done. Out of his control, so he will miss the season.”

Meanwhile, Decker and Paschal are both recovering from offseason procedures and are expected to return in August or early September, respectively.

“We feel like there’s a good chance we can get ‘Deck’ back after the Hall of Fame game,” Campbell said. “He’s good, just cleaned out the shoulder a little bit. We’re gonna work him back in when he’s ready to go, get the strength back but he’s in a good place.”

“Paschal will be just a tick longer (than Decker), probably early September,” Campbell said. “Labor Day maybe we can start working him into practice. That’s the plan right now. Both of those guys had some surgeries to clean some stuff out and help them out.”

During training camp, they experienced yet another injury as cornerback Ennis Rakestraw left the field with an apparent chest injury. Rakestraw was limited to just eight games in his rookie season last year due to a hamstring injury.

The Lions remain hopeful they’ll be at full strength closer to the regular season.

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