The Detroit Lions ruled DT Alim McNeill and three other players out on Friday, Oct. 3, for this week's game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
The Detroit Lions have decided to play things careful with defensive tackle Alim McNeill.
The Lions (3-1) ruled McNeill and three other players out on Friday, Oct. 3, for this week's game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
McNeill tore his ACL in a loss to the Buffalo Bills last December and returned to practice this week. He remains on the physically unable to perform list.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said there was a "50-50" chance the team could activate McNeill this weekend before Friday's practice, but said the team would be careful with McNeill's health.
When healthy, McNeill has been the Lions' best defensive tackle the past few seasons. He will join a defensive tackle rotation that also includes DJ Reader, Roy Lopez and rookie first-round pick Tyleik Williams.
"I know he wants to play, but we want to be smart, too," Campbell said. "So this’ll be one of those decisions we’ll probably make after practice."
The Lions also ruled out running back Sione Vaki (groin) for the second straight game, plus linebacker Zach Cunningham (hamstring) and cornerback Khalil Dorsey (wrist/concussion). Dorsey cleared concussion protocol this week, but suffered a wrist injury in practice.
Left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) and safety Kerby Joseph (knee) are both listed as questionable but expected to play, and cornerback Terrion Arnold does not have an injury designation after practicing in full the past two days after leaving last week's win over the Cleveland Browns with a shoulder injury.
Arnold and Amik Robertson should start at cornerback Sunday, with Rock Ya-Sin and/or Avante Maddox playing as the fifth defensive back in nickel packages.
Rookie defensive lineman Shemar Stewart is out for the Bengals (2-2).
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Alim McNeill injury update: Detroit Lions DT's 2025 debut a no-go
Category: Football
