Onwuzurike (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday night's matchup against the Packers, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
The 26-year-old sustained a hamstring injury in the Lions' Thanksgiving Day win over the Bears and was unable to practice throughout the week. With both Onwuzurike and DJ Reader (shoulder) ruled out for Thursday night's divisional matchup, Myles Adams and Brodric Martin will likely see increased snaps with Detroit's first-team defense.
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Lions' Levi Onwuzurike: Still nursing hamstring injury
Rotowire
Onwuzurike (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
The fourth-year defensive lineman from Washington was unable to return to the Lions' Week 13 win over the Bears after sustaining a hamstring injury, so Monday's DNP listing comes as no surprise. He likely needs to upgrade to at least limited participation Tuesday or Wednesday in order to play in Thursday night's divisional matchup against the Packers.
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Lions' Levi Onwuzurike: Gets in full practice Thursday
Rotowire
Onwuzurike (hip) was a full participant at practice Thursday.
Onwuzurike has sat out the Lions' last three games, but he's on track to play in Week 11 after practicing in full Thursday. Come Sunday versus the Bears, he will probably fill a depth role on the interior of Detroit's 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.
