Alim McNeill injury update: Dan Campbell offers great news on Detroit Lions' star DT

Alim McNeill injury update: Dan Campbell offers great news on Detroit Lions' star DT originally appeared on The Sporting News

Alim McNeill is inching closer to his return to the field with the Detroit Lions.

McNeill has been working his way back from a torn ACL since last December and general manager Brad Holmes said back in August that he was ahead of schedule.

Head coach Dan Campbell provided an update on McNeill on Monday and said the Lions' star defensive tackle could have his 21-day practice window opened this week.

“We’re close on Mac,” Campbell said, according to Pride of Detroit's Jeremy Reisman. “There’s a good chance we may start Mac’s clock this week. That’s good. We’re just — we want to make sure we check all those boxes before we say that’s what we’re going to do for sure. But it’s trending the right way. Mac’s — he’s about ready to go, and I think he’s tired of training.”

McNeill has been on the physically unable to perform list since the offseason and his mandatory four-week stay on the list is now up, making him eligible to return this week.

But that is unlikely to happen. The Lions will designate him to return first and then will have 21 days to activate him. Chances are Detroit will take most of that time, which means he may not take the field until Week 7.

Nevertheless, his return will be a massive boost for Detroit's defense, which is already a top-10 unit against the run. McNeill will also offer a boost in the pass-rush after tallying 8.5 sacks in 27 games the past two seasons.

MORE NFL NEWS

• Are experts putting Lions in the top 5 of their NFL power rankings?
• Lions get good and bad news on D.J. Reed after Week 4
• Lions have clear potential trade partner for CB help amid injuries
• Boise State trolls UNLV after Jeanty's first NFL TD at Allegiant Stadium
• Kevin Stefanski not ruling out Browns QB change in Week 5
• Browns get bad injury updates on Cedric Tillman, DeAndre Carter