ALLEN PARK, Mich.
–
Detroit Lions
defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike is out for the season after having knee surgery, a setback for a franchise that was counting on him to fill in for
Alim McNeill
.
Lions coach Dan Campbell made the announcement on Sunday morning, just before his team had the
NFL’s
first training camp practice of the year.
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The 27-year-old Onwuzurike started in a career-high 11 games last season, including Detroit’s loss to Washington in the divisional round. His playing time increased when McNeill had a season-ending knee injury in December. McNeill, who signed a $97 million, four-year contract extension last October, is out indefinitely.
Onwuzurike’s injury gives rookie defensive tackle
Tyleik Williams
a chance to play a significant role when the two-time defending NFC North champions kick off the season Sept. 7 at Green Bay.
Detroit drafted the former Ohio State standout with the 28th pick overall in the NFL draft. The 6-foot-3, 334-pound Williams started 13 games for the national champion Buckeyes and had 46 tackles, including eight for losses and 2 1/2 sacks.
The Lions will also lean on 31-year-old defensive tackle DJ Reader and newly acquired veteran
Roy Lopez
, who started 16 games last season for Arizona and has 50 career starts with the Cardinals and Houston Texans.
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AP NFL:
https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
