Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill dished on his recovery from a torn ACL and gave a soft timeline for his return to action.
McNeill suffered the injury in December and his status for the start of the season is up in the air, although there's at least a chance he could play within the first four games as things stand now since he's on the active/PUP list.
When speaking to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, McNeill said he will "for sure" be back before Thanksgiving, which falls in Week 13 (Nov. 27). McNeill also added that he's in the final stages of his rehab.
”At this point, it’s like baking a cake. It’s just putting the finishing touches on it,” McNeill explained.
While general manager Brad Holmes has said that McNeill is ahead of schedule, head coach Dan Campbell relayed that McNeill isn't expected back for the early portion of the season.
Based on Campbell's and McNeill's comments, we would expect the defensive lineman to start the season on the reserve/PUP list, which would mean McNeill must miss the first four games of the season.
Despite the injuries to McNeill and Levi Onwuzurike, who is out for the season, the Lions still have a pretty solid situation up the middle with veterans D.J. Reader and Roy Lopez and rookie Tyleik Williams filling out the top-three spots on the depth chart. Mekhi Wingo and Pat O'Connor should fill in behind those three.
Assuming everyone can stay healthy, the Lions should be able to weather the storm until McNeill's return, whenever that might be.
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