A disappointing end to the Lions 2024 season was in large part due to the inability of the defense to make stops. The list of defensive players missing by the end of the season was long. Unfortunately, not all will be ready for the start of next season.
Here is the outlook of the players who were not playing at the end of the year due to injury. Their contract status is included, and as you can see, many of these players are unrestricted free agents who may not be back with the Lions next season regardless of health status.
Last year, the Lions started OTA (organized team activities) on April 15. Training camp started on July 27.
The new NFL season starts on September 4, 2025 with the Super Bowl champs hosting. The Lions could be playing on that date if the Eagles, Commanders, or Chiefs win the Super Bowl since the Lions have road games with all those teams.
PLAYERS WHO MAY NOT BE READY FOR GAME ONE
Alim McNeill – Right ACL, December 15 (Signed through 2028 season)
-ACL’s usually recover around 10-11 months. Hope to see McNeill playing around November.
Malcolm Rodriguez – Right ACL, November 28 (Entering final year of rookie contract)
-Hope to see Rodriguez playing around October.
SIGNED PLAYERS WHO SHOULD BE READY BY TRAINING CAMP
Aidan Hutchinson – Left tib/fib fracture, October 13 (Entering 4th year of rookie deal with 5th-year option.)
-Hutchinson, who was targeting a limited participation in the Super Bowl, should be ready to participate at least in a limited fashion for OTA.
Amik Robertson – Left humerus fracture, January 18 (Entering final year of 2-year contract)
-Early reports suggest that Robertson will likely be ready for OTA.
Mekhi Wingo – Right knee, Nov 28 (Entering 2nd year of 4-year rookie contract)
-The diagnosis is unknown. Assuming it’s not an ACL, there is a good chance Wingo is ready for the start of training camp if not much earlier.
Ennis Rakestraw – Hamstring/illness, November 23 (Entering 2nd year of 4-year rookie contract)
-Rakestraw may have been active if the Lions advanced to the conference championship, so he should be full-go for all offseason activities.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS WHO SHOULD BE READY BY TRAINING CAMP
Carlton Davis – Jaw fracture, December 15
Kevin Zeitler – Right hamstring, January 5
Marcus Davenport – Left elbow, September 22
Derrick Barnes – Right MCL/PCL with surgery, September 22
John Cominsky – MCL with surgery, July 30
Ifeatu Melifonwu – Right hamstring strain, January 18
Kyle Peko – Left pec rupture, October 13
Pat O’Connor – Calf, January 5
Khalil Dorsey – Right tib/fib fracture, December 15
Emmanuel Moseley – Illness, January