Onwuzurike (back) still has yet to practice during Detroit's OTAs, Justin Rodgers of The Detroit News reports.
Onwuzurike, who missed all of the 2022 NFL season with a back issue, also had back problems during his rookie year that held him out of training camp. While head coach Dan Campbell noted Thursday that he doesn't have a timetable for the young defensive lineman's return to the practice, he added "certainly, we're hoping to have him (back) in camp at some point." Campbell also stated that Onwuzurike "just got on the grass probably about a week ago where he can begin to run."
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Lions' Levi Onwuzurike: Officially out
Rotowire
The Lions have ruled Onwuzurike (back) out for Sunday's Week 1 game against the Eagles, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Onwuzurike suffered a back injury in the first week of training camp and has not practiced fully since. Thus, his absence is not too surprising. The first step in the right direction will be logging some work at practice. In the meantime, the likes of Isaiah Buggs, Benito Jones and Demetrius Taylor are candidates to see some snaps providing depth on the interior defensive line.
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Lions' Levi Onwuzurike: On track for key role in 2022
Rotowire
Onwuzurike is expected to play a key role within Detroit's defense in 2022, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
The 2021 second-round pick had a disappointing rookie season after missing time in training camp with a back injury. However, head coach Dan Campbell said Onwuzurike has undergone a "body transformation" since then while spending part of his offseason working out in Detroit before team workouts even started. If Romeo Okwara (Achilles) is slow to bounce back from his injury this fall, Onwuzurike should have plenty of pass-rushing opportunities early on in 2022.
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Lions' Levi Onwuzurike: Questionable after limited practice
Rotowire
Onwuzurike (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against San Francisco.
Onwuzurike was a limited participant in all three of Detroit's practices this week. The rookie second-round pick dealt with a back injury during camp, but this hip issue appears to be unrelated. He's expected to begin his career in a rotational role at defensive end.
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Lions' Levi Onwuzurike: Back in action
Rotowire
Onwuzurike (back) participated in team drills during Tuesday's practice, and he should make his preseason debut Saturday against the Steelers, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.
Head coach Dan Campbell said Onwuzurike recently saw a couple of specialists after the rookie was limited by a back injury in practice. However, Campbell expressed optimism about the evaluations, and Onwuzurike subsequently saw his most extensive workload during training camp Tuesday. While it's not necessarily guaranteed that he suits up during this weekend's preseason game, Onwuzurike seems well on track to be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 12 against San Francisco.
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Lions' Levi Onwuzurike: Misses practice Monday
Rotowire
Onwuzurike didn't practice Monday for an unspecified reason, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.
Onwuzurike has a chance to see increased reps in practice after Nick Williams (undisclosed) was placed on the reserve/COVID list Monday, but the rookie didn't take the field Monday. It's not yet clear when the 23-year-old could return.
