It seems like a big return is just around the corner.
The Detroit Lions appear poised to welcome defensive tackle Alim McNeill back into the lineup for Monday night’s tilt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The star lineman has been on the Physically Unable to Perform list all season while recovering from a brutal ACL injury late last year. With Week 7 almost wrapped up, the man is “freakin’ playing.”
Whenever a player comes back from injury, there is always a question about what to expect. Sometimes, a depleted roster necessitates a sudden uptick in snaps. In other cases, a player ramps up over a few weeks as they return to game form. Which situation will befall McNeill: will the Lions ease him in, or is he ready to jump once more into the fray?
Today’s Question of the Day is:
What are your expectations for Alim McNeill against the Buccaneers?
My answer: Approximately 30 percent of defensive snaps.
In 2024, McNeill’s pre-injury snap count was typically above 80 percent, highlighting how much of a focal point he was for the defensive front. However, I think it will be a few weeks before he even approaches that threshold—in fact, he might not exceed it all year.
The obvious reason for a slow return is his injury. This will be his first live action since tearing his ACL on December 22 against the Buffalo Bills. Returning from an injury of that severity within a calendar year is difficult for many players, let alone a lineman weighing 310 pounds. Testing your physicality in practice against teammates is one thing, but putting in live reps against relentless opponents is a challenge. The Lions are adamant that he can hit the ground running, but I do not see the appeal in rushing a player like McNeill into the lineup—judge him on a per down basis and adjust based on what he shows.
The other reason for a limited return for McNeill is the performance of his fellow defensive tackles. DJ Reader, Tyleik Williams, and Roy Lopez have been significant contributors along the defensive interior, both in terms of pressure and run stopping. The Lions’ defense has been elite in short-yardage situations thanks to their stalwart interior. McNeill’s return will give Detroit an embarrassment of riches at defensive tackle—riches that can justify easing McNeill back into the lineup.
Once healthy, I expect McNeill to be a significant part of the Lions’ defense. However, Detroit is in a good spot with their defensive tackles. They do not need to hasten McNeill’s return to the lineup thanks to the contributions from their depth chart. With the bye just a week away, I think this is the perfect opportunity for McNeill to dip his twinkle toes into live NFL reps.
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