The Detroit Lions struggled in a big way in 2021 as they finished their first season under Dan Campbell with a 3-13-1 record.
That being said, the Lions did have quite a few injuries that did not help the cause, including injuries to EDGE Romeo Okwara and Jeff Okudah.
On Tuesday, Campbell was in Indianapolis for the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine and he gave a promising update on both Okwara and Okudah.
“Both of those guys are right where they need to be. As long as everything stays its course … hoping to have them by training camp.”
Dan Campbell on the injury recoveries for Romeo Okwara and Jeff Okudah: “Both of those guys are right where they need to be. As long as everything stays its course … hoping to have them by training camp.”
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) March 1, 2022
Following the season, Lions GM Brad Holmes had great things to say about Okudah.
“Jeff’s doing a nice job in his rehab,” Holmes said. “What I love about him is that he wanted to stay engaged and be around as much as possible. I just hated for him when he got the injury because he was in such a good place mentally and physically, and when he got hurt it was devastating.”
Back in January, Okwara vowed to come back stronger than ever.
“Feels pretty good after being in a cast, then the boot and crutching around the building,” Okwara said from the team’s headquarters on Monday. “Feeling in a good place. Mentally, this was my first major injury and just going through surgery for the first time was definitely tough. But at the same time, think it taught me a lot of patience … but just still grateful.”
Okwara, who recorded 10 sacks in 2020, will be looking to come back even stronger when he’s healthy enough to be hitting the field with his teammates next season.
“I think it’s even more motivation to come back stronger next year,” he said. “I’m going to attack the rehab process the same way like I attack my offseason training, so I’m looking forward to that.”
