The Detroit Lions released defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike on Friday, ending a five-year tenure defined by injury struggles that included a torn ACL in July 2025 and a back injury that cost him the entire 2022 season. The team parted ways with the 28-year-old former second-round pick just days after he secured a spot on the initial 53-man roster following a strong training camp where he rehabbed two ACLs.
Head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged Onwuzurike’s power and movement improvements during camp but noted the player’s tendency to get “real high” emotionally, a factor that seemingly contributed to the decision. With the roster spot now open, the team must finalize its defensive front rotation before Thursday night’s game against Buffalo.
Offensive Line Injury Concerns
The offensive line faces immediate scrutiny ahead of the short week. Monday’s initial injury report listed three starters as limited or non-participants: center Juice Scruggs, right tackle Blake Miller, and left guard Christian Mahogany. While Mahogany’s hip issue is not considered long-term, Campbell indicated it will be difficult to get him ready for Thursday.
Rookie right tackle Blake Miller offers a glimmer of hope for the unit. Despite being listed as a non-participant on the initial report due to a knee injury, Miller stated he is optimistic about playing after feeling progress during Monday’s walkthrough. Campbell remains cautious, noting they will know more Tuesday, but Miller’s proactive approach suggests he could see the field against Josh Allen.
Pacheco Surgery Extends Absence
The running back room took a significant hit as backup Isiah Pacheco underwent surgery to remove a body pressing on a nerve in his back. Campbell confirmed the procedure means Pacheco will miss a “significant amount of time,” potentially ruling him out until December. This leaves Jahmyr Gibbs as the primary option, a role he embraced in Week 1 with a career-high 34 touches.
With the offensive line banged up and the backup running back spot vacant, the Lions are reportedly evaluating their secondary needs as well. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler suggested the team could look at trading for Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., noting Detroit has the cap space to absorb a contract with a value of $128 million despite future commitments to Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch. The team currently operates with around $38 million in cap space but faces a crunch as extension clocks tick for their core players.
Gibbs Workload Not a Concern
Jahmyr Gibbs has already shouldered the load, playing 74% of offensive snaps in the opener and forcing 12 missed tackles. Amon-Ra St. Brown praised Gibbs’ endurance, noting he never seems to get tired even after carrying the ball repeatedly in the overtime victory. Campbell affirmed that while they will monitor Gibbs’ usage, the priority is winning games with the “hot hand.”
This article was created by aggregating Detroit Lions news using Artificial Intelligence.
