Lions Counting on Alim McNeill to Anchor Defensive Line After Injury

Detroit head coach Dan Campbell expects the once-dominant defensive tackle to regain his form in 2026 after a difficult rehab.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:00pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting the explosive energy of a defensive lineman making a tackle, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of blue, silver, and pewter.The Lions' defense will rely heavily on Alim McNeill's ability to regain his disruptive interior presence after a difficult injury rehab.Today in Detroit

The Detroit Lions are relying heavily on defensive tackle Alim McNeill to bounce back from a serious knee injury and regain his dominant form from 2023. After a disappointing 2025 season, head coach Dan Campbell believes McNeill will be much improved with a full offseason to prepare. The Lions have invested significantly in McNeill, making him one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the league, and his ability to disrupt the interior of the offensive line is crucial to the success of the defense.

Why it matters

McNeill's performance is key to the Lions' defensive line, as he was a disruptive force capable of collapsing the pocket and making life difficult for opposing quarterbacks before his injury. If he can return to that level of play, it will help mask some of the team's deficiencies in the secondary and allow the edge rushers to win their one-on-one matchups.

The details

Last season, McNeill struggled, managing just nine solo tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble across ten games. His overall grade of 52.1 ranked 90th out of 134 qualified defensive tackles, and his 23 total pressures landed him 53rd. These numbers fall way short of the standards set by his pre-injury production in 2023, when he posted an impressive 86.8 overall PFF grade with 43 tackles, six sacks, and 30 hurries.

  • In 2023, McNeill had a standout season with the Lions.
  • In 2024, McNeill's numbers dipped slightly, with an overall grade of 79.6 and 45 tackles, four sacks, and 38 hurries.
  • In 2025, McNeill struggled after returning from a serious knee injury, posting poor numbers and ranking 90th out of 134 qualified defensive tackles.
  • This offseason, McNeill will have a full offseason to prepare and regain his form, which head coach Dan Campbell expects him to do.

The players

Alim McNeill

A promising and once surging interior defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions who is looking to rebound after a serious knee injury and disappointing 2025 season.

Dan Campbell

The head coach of the Detroit Lions, who believes that McNeill's difficult rehab is to blame for his lackluster 2025 performance and expects him to regain his form in 2026.

Tyleik Williams

A first-round pick (No. 28 overall) from 2025 who the Lions will rely on to shoulder a lot of the load vacated by the departures of DJ Reader and Roy Lopez.

Levi Onwuzurike

A defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions who will be part of the mix to help fill the void left by Reader and Lopez.

Mekhi Wingo

A defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions who will be part of the mix to help fill the void left by Reader and Lopez.

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What they’re saying

“Alim is only gonna be so much better from that. Alim would never say anything about that, but any player that comes off of that injury, it's hard. It's hard to be back to what you were immediately after it once you've rehabbed. I'm not worried about Mac, Mac's gonna come in and do well.”

— Dan Campbell, Head Coach, Detroit Lions

What’s next

The Lions will be closely monitoring Alim McNeill's progress during the offseason as he looks to regain his pre-injury form. The team's ability to generate interior pressure and disrupt opposing offenses will hinge on McNeill's successful return.

The takeaway

The Detroit Lions have made a significant financial commitment to Alim McNeill, and his ability to anchor the defensive line and disrupt opposing offenses will be crucial to the team's success in 2026. If McNeill can return to his dominant 2023 form, it will help mask some of the team's weaknesses in the secondary and allow the edge rushers to thrive.