PALM BEACH, Fla. - Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill could miss the start of the regular season this fall because of the torn ACL he suffered in December, while the team is "very confident" defensive end Aidan Hutchinson will return to form after missing most of last year with a broken leg.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said at the NFL's annual spring meeting Tuesday that McNeill's recovery from ACL surgery could bleed into the start of the 2025 season.
"It's tough to say right now when Mac will be back," Campbell said. "ACLs are all a little bit different. Obviously, it's not going to be training camp or probably even early part of the season.
"But we will get him back and I think the big thing here is I think get him back healthy where he feels good, he can move, obviously protect himself but still be productive."
McNeill had 3.5 sacks in 14 games last season and led the Lions with 43 quarterback pressures.
He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a December loss to the Buffalo Bills and was one of five Lions defensive starters who finished the season on injured reserve.
The Lions signed nose tackle Roy Lopez in free agency to help cover for McNeill's potential absence early this fall and re-signed Levi Onwuzurike, Pat O'Connor and Myles Adams to pair with D.J. Reader on the inside.
McNeill was considered one of the NFL's top young interior defensive linemen before his injury − the Lions signed him to a four-year, $97 million extension last fall − and Campbell tempered expectations for the defensive tackle taking a big step forward this fall.
"I think more than anything you want him getting the back to where he felt like he was before the injury," Campbell said. "That's important, at least for this year. ...
