Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (knee) suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game and was immediately ruled out. After the game, head coach Dan Campbell didn't reveal any specifics about the injury and just said it "didn't look good." According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, McNeill suffered an ACL injury and will miss the remainder of the 2024 campaign. It was an awful injury for this struggling Lions defense, as they are already without defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (leg) and a laundry list of other defensive players. The Lions hit the road for a few games against the Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49ers before ending the season at home against the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions' defense has been reeling lately, allowing 48 points to the Bills last week and 31 to the Green Bay Packers the week before. The Lions will need to search for answers on the defensive side to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.
Alim McNeill, Carlton Davis III Feared To Have Season-Ending Injuries
According to Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, defensive back Carlton Davis III (jaw) and defensive lineman Alim McNeill (knee) are thought to have suffered season-ending injuries in Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The NFL's Ian Rapoport reported the news. Ouch. Davis III picked up his issue early in the second quarter while attempting a tackle on Bills running back Ray Davis, while McNeill sustained his roughly midway through the third frame. Neither returned to the contest, and Campbell noted he "doesn't feel good" about either player's chances of playing again this season. The Lions' injuries on the defensive side of the ball are getting out of hand as their depth chart is studded with red designations that nearly outnumber the healthy athletes. Detroit has a road meeting against their division-rival Chicago Bears on tap for Week 16 with seemingly severely depleted defensive personnel.
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill (knee) won't return to Sunday's game against the Bills. It hasn't been a good day for the Lions defense, with Carlton Davis III (jaw) and Khalil Dorsey (ankle) both also suffering game-ending injuries. There is long-term concern regarding McNeill's health, with the 24-year-old totaling 3.5 sacks entering Week 15. If he isn't available versus the Chicago Bears in Week 16, Levi Onwuzurike could see more work.
Alim McNeill Ruled Out With Head Injury On Thursday
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (head) suffered a head injury on Thursday night against the division-rival Green Bay Packers and was taken to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion before eventually being ruled out for the rest of the contest in the second half. The Lions defense can ill-afford any more injuries to their defensive line. All-Pro pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson (leg) is already out for the year, and the Lions were also missing three other defensive linemen due to injury coming into the Week 14 game. For the rest of the game on Thursday evening, the Lions will be forced to test their depth with Brodric Martin and Myles Adams. The good news is McNeill will have extra time to recover before the Lions face the Buffalo Bills in Week 15 on Sunday, Dec. 15.
Alim McNeill Agrees To Four-Year Extension With Lions
The Detroit Lions and defensive tackle Alim McNeill reached an agreement on an undisclosed four-year contract extension on Tuesday. McNeil was in the final year of his rookie deal in 2024 after the Lions selected him in the third round (72nd overall) of the 2021 NFL draft out of North Carolina State. The 24-year-old had 112 tackles (49 solo), eight sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 20 QB hits, two pass breakups and a forced fumble in his first three years in Detroit. Through five games in 2024, McNeill has picked up eight tackles (five solo), 2.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, four QB hits and a pass breakup. He's not exactly on the fantasy radar in IDP leagues, but McNeill just became a lot more important to Detroit's defensive line with star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson (leg) out for the year.
Detroit Lions fourth-year defensive tackle Alim McNeill is an extension candidate for the team after they already dished out $444 million to receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, offensive tackle Penei Sewell and quarterback Jared Goff this offseason. McNeill is coming off his best season as a pro in 2023. He turned 24 in May and has his best football in front of him as he enters the final year of his rookie deal in 2024. McNeill was disruptive against the run and as a pass-rusher when he was healthy and he should only get better with the addition of space-eating nose tackle DJ Reader. If it all comes together for McNeill this year, he will be due a big payday. How much he ultimately gets could determine how much money is left for impending free agents Taylor Decker and Carlton Davis III, among others. McNeill had 32 tackles (17 solo), a career-high five sacks, six tackles for loss and 10 QB hits last season.
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill is a quality sleeper candidate in a favorable Week 5 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. McNeill, a 2021 third-round draft pick, has broken out, making a sack in each of the past two games. His two sacks tie his career high. He is averaging 29 pass rush snaps per game, about five more than last season. Although he may not sustain his 25% pressure-to-sack rate the whole season, he is still worth a start in position-specific IDP leagues in Week 5 against a weak Panthers' offensive line. The Panthers have allowed pressure on 28% of their passing plays, the sixth-highest rate in the league, and they have allowed the eighth-most sacks.
The Detroit Lions selected North Carolina State defensive lineman Alim McNeill with the No. 72 overall pick in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft on Friday night. McNeill has a devastating first step and great bull rush as an athletic nose tackle. However, he'll need to be coached up at the next level to develop some more moves to elude offensive linemen. The 6-foot-2, 320-pounder primarily wins with his strength while keeping his body moving, but strength alone won't cut it at the next level. There's potential for McNeill to be a difference-maker at defensive tackle, but he'll also need some seasoning in Detroit.
Alim McNeill
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Lions
