Dr. Chao states that the ACL injury of Alim McNeill for the Detroit Lions is the ‘greatest concern’ for the beginning of 2025.
The Detroit Lions may begin the 2025 season missing one of their defensive tackles.
Alim McNeill sustained a torn ACL in a game against the Buffalo Bills, right before the playoffs.
The skilled defensive lineman was having a strong season before his injury that ended the campaign. In 14 games, he registered 25 tackles, 45 pressures on the quarterback, and 3.5 sacks.
During a radio appearance with the Detroit Free Press, Sports Injury Central’s Dr. David Chao expressed his views on the series of injuries experienced by the Lions in the previous season.
“Alim McNeill is the greatest concern.” “I believe it will be challenging to be prepared for the beginning of the season,” remarked Dr. Chao. Challenging, but not unachievable; if you can have him return as his true self for the latter half of the season, that would be quite favorable. “Therefore, that is what the expectation should be.”
Adjustments in coaching
Detroit will begin the 2025 season with a variety of new coaches.
Following a successful streak starting in 2022, the New York Jets and Chicago Bears hired away Detroit’s coordinators at the end of the 2024 season.
For the skilled defensive tackle, managing adjustments is simply a part of existence in the National Football League.
“I sense that it occurs to teams annually.” “Players come and go, coaches come and go; you simply have to adapt and keep moving forward,” remarked McNeill. “You simply need to improve each year as a player, focus on what you must do on the field, and everything will fall into place.”