The Detroit Lions’ defense is waiting for one of its cornerstones to return, and now Alim McNeill has provided an encouraging update on his recovery. After tearing his ACL in December, the 25-year-old defensive tackle has been steadily progressing, and he says he’s confident about when fans will see him back on the field.
Alim McNeill Injury Update
Speaking to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press after the Lions’ joint practice with the Houston Texans, McNeill revealed he’s ahead of schedule in his rehab. While he wouldn’t give an exact date, the former third-round pick made it clear he has a target in mind:
McNeill didn’t lock in a specific date for his return, but he made his confidence clear, saying he’d “for sure” be back before Thanksgiving. He explained that his rehab has reached the last phase, centered on regaining full strength.
“At this point, it’s like baking a cake. It’s just putting the finishing touches on it,” McNeill told Birkett.
The defensive tackle described his recovery process as putting “the finishing touches on a cake,” noting that the focus now is rebuilding strength and explosiveness. He’s already been working on cutting, running, and jumping, all positive signs at roughly eight months removed from surgery.
Career Impact
Since being drafted by Detroit in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, McNeill has been one of the most consistent performers on the Lions’ defensive line. In 61 career games (50 starts), he’s racked up:
- 137 total tackles (66 solo, 71 assists)
- 11.5 sacks
- 22 tackles for loss
- 27 quarterback hits
His breakout came in 2023 when he recorded a career-high 5.0 sacks in just 13 games. Even last season, before his injury, McNeill still managed 3.5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss in 14 starts, showing his disruptive presence in the middle.
Looking Ahead
Head coach Dan Campbell has previously said he didn’t expect McNeill back for the “early part of the season,” but with McNeill declaring himself ahead of schedule, the Lions could be getting their anchor back sooner rather than later.
For a defense looking to take another step forward in 2025, McNeill’s return, before Thanksgiving as he promised, could be one of the most important midseason additions in the NFL.
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