Levi Onwuzurike Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Giants vs Lions game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Jul 20, 2025
Out for season with torn ACL
Onwuzurike will miss the 2025 NFL campaign after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
This is a tough blow for Onwuzurike and the Lions, who were decimated by injuries on defense last year. Onwuzurike was a key part of Detroit's defensive line during the 2024 campaign, playing in 16 regular-season games and recording 16 tackles, including 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble while logging over 60 percent of the team's defensive snaps 11 times. Presumed starter at defensive tackle Alim McNeill is recovering from a torn ACL himself, and it's unclear if he'll be ready for Week 1 of the upcoming campaign.
Jul 17, 2025
Placed on reserve/PUP list
Onwuzurike (undisclosed) was placed on the reserve/PUP list by the Lions on Thursday.
ANALYSIS
The designation means that the defensive tackle will miss the first four regular-season games. Onwuzurike earned a rotation spot last season, playing a career-high 594 defensive snaps and making 28 tackles (16 solo). The 2021 second-round pick signed a one-year, $5.5-million contract to remain with the Lions in March, and he should be in line to play a role again if he's able to return by Week 5.
Mar 12, 2025
Re-signs with Detroit
Onwuzurike is re-signing the Lions on Wednesday via a one-year, $5.5 million contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Onwuzurike impressed in 2024, with 28 tackles (16 solo), including 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble across 16 regular-season appearances. Reuniting with the team on a one-year deal now primes Onwuzurike for another chance to prove his ability to thrive as part of an interior defensive lineman rotation, before he hits free agency again in 2026.
Jan 29, 2025
Strong interior presence for Lions
Onwuzurike finished the 2024 regular season with 28 tackles (16 solo), including 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble across 16 games.
ANALYSIS
Onwuzurike didn't have eye-popping numbers in 2024, but the fourth-year player out of Washington gave opposing offensive lines plenty of trouble with his relentless pass rush. His fifth-year option was declined by Detroit, which means he enters the 2025 offseason as an unrestricted free agent. Onwuzurike should garner plenty of interest from teams looking to solidify the interior of its defensive line such as the Patriots, who hired former Lions' defensive line coach Terrell Williams on Jan. 22 to serve as New England's defensive coordinator under head coach Mike Vrabel.
Dec 13, 2024
Past hamstring issue
Onwuzurike (hamstring) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bills.
ANALYSIS
Onwuzurike didn't play in the Lions' Week 14 win over the Packers after sustaining a hamstring injury the week prior. However, he upgraded from limited work Wednesday and Thursday to a full practice session Friday, indicating that he's now recovered from the issue. Expect Onwuzurike to play as one of the Lions' top rotational interior defensive linemen in Week 15.
Dec 11, 2024
Returns to practice in limited fashion
Onwuzurike (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
This is a step in the right direction for Onwuzurike, who didn't practice at all last week and didn't play against Green Bay on Thursday due to a hamstring issue. His participation level in practice the rest of this week should help clarify whether he'll be able to return to the field Sunday versus Buffalo. Myles Adams logged 40 percent of Detroit's defensive snaps in his first game with the team last week since both Onwuzurike and DJ Reader (shoulder) were unable to play.
Dec 4, 2024
Ruled out for Week 14
Onwuzurike (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday night's matchup against the Packers, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The 26-year-old sustained a hamstring injury in the Lions' Thanksgiving Day win over the Bears and was unable to practice throughout the week. With both Owunzurike and DJ Reader (shoulder) ruled out for Thursday night's divisional matchup, Myles Adams and Brodric Martin will likely see increased snaps with Detroit's first-team defense.
Dec 2, 2024
Still nursing hamstring injury
Onwuzurike (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimation, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The fourth-year defensive lineman from Washington was unable to return to the Lions' Week 13 win over the Bears after sustaining a hamstring injury, so Monday's estimated DNP comes as no surprise. He likely needs to upgrade to at least limited participation Tuesday or Wednesday in order to play in Thursday night's divisional matchup against the Packers.
Nov 28, 2024
Won't reenter Thursday's game
Onwuzurike won't return to Thursday's contest against the Bears.
ANALYSIS
Onwuzurike remained down on the field late in the first half but was able to walk to the sideline and eventually the locker room. The Lions ruled him out shortly after halftime. With no tackles on his ledger Thursday, he's now been blanked in the box score in three straight games.
Nov 16, 2023
Gets in full practice Thursday
Onwuzurike (hip) was a full participant at practice Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Onwuzurike has sat out the Lions' last three games, but he's on track to play in Week 11 after practicing in full Thursday. Come Sunday versus the Bears, he will probably fill a depth role on the interior of Detroit's defensive line.
Nov 12, 2023
Won't play Week 10
Onwuzurike (hip) has been ruled out of Sunday's contest against the Chargers.
ANALYSIS
Onwuzurike wasn't able to practice Thursday and Friday after popping up on the injury report with a hip injury. He'll sit out for the third game in a row. Isaiah Buggs figures to be in line for more snaps as a depth defensive tackle behind starters Alim McNeill and Benito Jones.
Nov 10, 2023
Doubtful for Week 10
Onwuzurike (hip) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers.
ANALYSIS
The third-year defensive tackle popped up on Detroit's injury report earlier this week with a hip issue, and he was unable to practice both Thursday and Friday. With Onwuzurike likely missing time, Isaiah Buggs should see an uptick in snaps on the Lions' defensive line.
Jul 23, 2023
Good to go for training camp
Onwuzurike, who missed all of 2022 with a back injury, is set to participate in Lions' training camp, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Onwuzurike had back problems in his rookie year in 2021 but was still able to play in 16 games and managed to record 35 tackles and one sack. Head coach Dan Campbell noted that the team will work him in slowly as he comes back up to speed.
Jun 1, 2023
Return timetable TBD
Onwuzurike (back) still has yet to practice during Detroit's OTAs, Justin Rodgers of The Detroit News reports.
ANALYSIS
Onwuzurike, who missed all of the 2022 NFL season with a back issue, also had back problems during his rookie year that held him out of training camp. While head coach Dan Campbell noted Thursday that he doesn't have a timetable for the young defensive lineman's return to the practice, he added "certainly, we're hoping to have him (back) in camp at some point." Campbell also stated that Onwuzurike "just got on the grass probably about a week ago where he can begin to run."
Apr 10, 2023
Future uncertain
Onwuzurike (back) remains in a rehabilitation program and is uncertain to play in 2023, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports. "We just need to see how it is," head coach Dan Campbell said recently. "The first thing I'm thinking about, I'm not thinking about the player playing. I'm thinking about the player being healthy. And then if he plays, that's just icing on top," defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said at the NFL Combine.
ANALYSIS
Onwuzurike has been sidelined since hurting his back during the first day of padded practice last year. While it doesn't seem like the Detroit coaching staff is particularly encouraged by his progress thus far, we should know more about his availability as the team goes through offseason workouts this spring and summer.
Oct 17, 2022
Out for season after surgery
Onwuzurike (back) will miss the remainder of the 2022 season after he underwent surgery on his back ahead of Week 6, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
ANALYSIS
Detroit placed Onquzurike on its injured reserve list ahead of Week 1 with a back injury he sustained back at the beginning of training camp, and for which he ultimately needed surgery. Sans the 2021 second-rounder, the Lions will have to continue to rely on Charles Harris and Austin Bryant for reps at defensive end opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
Sep 10, 2022
Heading to IR
The Lions placed Onwuzurike (back) on injured reserve Saturday, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.
ANALYSIS
Onwuzurike aggravated a back injury early on in training camp that has persisted into the regular season. The Lions officially ruled him out for Week 1 action Friday, and just one day later they ensured he'll miss at least the first four games of the campaign. In Onwuzurike's absence, Isaiah Buggs should get an opportunity to mix into Detroit's defensive tackle rotation behind starters Michael Brockers and Alim McNeill.
Sep 10, 2022
Officially out
The Lions have ruled Onwuzurike (back) out for Sunday's Week 1 game against the Eagles, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Onwuzurike suffered a back injury in the first week of training camp and has not practiced fully since. Thus, his absence is not too surprising. The first step in the right direction will be loggin some work at practice. In the meantime, the likes of Isaiah Buggs, Benito Jones and Demetrius Taylor are candidates to see some snaps providing depth on the interior defensive line.
Aug 26, 2022
Uncertain for Week 1
Onwuzurike (back) is uncertain to be ready for Week 1, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. "He's trending the right way, but it's at a snail's pace, is the best way to say it," head coach Dan Campbell said.
ANALYSIS
Onwuzurike injured his back during the first week of training camp and hasn't practiced since. While Campbell said the defensive lineman hasn't had any setbacks, it doesn't sound like Onwuzurike has taken many steps forward either. Any of John Cominsky, Isaiah Buggs or Demetrius Taylor could be candidates for increased roles behind Michael Brockers and Alim McNeill if the 2021 second-round pick isn't ready to go when the regular season rolls.
Aug 19, 2022
Nursing back injury
Onwuzurike aggravated a back/hip injury during the first week of training camp, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
ANALYSIS
Head coach Dan Campbell said that Onwuzurike has a "murky" timeline for a return to action. His potential absence would create an opening for Isaiah Buggs and Jashon Cornell to see extra snaps behind Alim McNeil and Michael Brockers.
Apr 13, 2022
On track for key role in 2022
Onwuzurike is expected to play a key role within Detroit's defense in 2022, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press press.
ANALYSIS
The 2021 second-round pick had a disappointing rookie season after missing time in training camp with a back injury. However, head coach Dan Campbell said Onwuzurike has undergone a "body transformation" since then while spending part of his offseason working out in Detroit before offseason workouts even started. If Romeo Okwara (Achilles) is slow to bounce back from his injury this fall, Onwuzurike should have plenty of pass-rushing opportunities early on in 2022 to display the progress he's made.
Sep 16, 2021
Full practice Thursday
Onwuzurike (hip) was a full participant at Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
The rookie second-round pick was unavailable for the season opener due to the hip injury, but he'll start practice for Week 2 with no limitations. Onwuzurike is poised to make his NFL debut Monday against the Packers, assuming he avoiding any setbacks.
Sep 12, 2021
Not playing in season opener
Onwuzurike (hip) is inactive for Week 1 against the 49ers.
ANALYSIS
Onwuzurike was a limited participant in all three of Detroit's practices this week, and the rookie has been hampered by injuries thus far -- aside from the hip problem that sidelined him for this game, he also dealt with an (apparently) unrelated back injury during camp. His next chance to make his NFL debut will come in Week 2 against the Packers on the road -- as long as he's healthy enough to play.
Sep 10, 2021
Questionable after limited practice
Onwuzurike (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against San Francisco.
ANALYSIS
Onwuzurike was a limited participant in all three of Detroit's practices this week. The rookie second-round pick dealt with a back injury during camp, but this hip issue appears to be unrelated. He's expected to begin his career in a rotational role at defensive end.
Aug 18, 2021
Back in action
Onwuzurike (back) participated in team drills during Tuesday's practice and he should make his preseason debut Saturday against the Steelers, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.
ANALYSIS
Head coach Dan Campbell said Onwuzurike was recently sent to see a couple of specialists after the rookie was limited by a back injury in practice. However, Campbell expressed optimism about the evaluations and Onwuzurike subsequently saw his most extensive workload during training camp Tuesday. While it's not necessarily guaranteed that he suits up during this weekend's preseason game, Onwuzurike seems well on track to be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 12 against San Francisco.
Aug 11, 2021
Dealing with sore back
Onwuzurike has been limited in practice due to a sore back recently, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Onwuzurike hasn't been present much early in camp due to his injury, and the team has sent him to multiple specialists to make sure that he isn't dealing with a serious issue. However, the defensive lineman is believed to be fine, and coach Dan Campbell is hopeful that Onwuzurike will be back on the field sometime next week.
Aug 9, 2021
Misses practice Monday
Onwuzurike didn't practice Monday for an unspecified reason, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Onwuzurike has a chance to see increased reps in practice after Nick Williams (undisclosed) was placed on the reserve/COVID list Monday, but the rookie didn't take the field Monday. It's not yet clear when the 23-year-old could return.
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