McNeill logged 32 tackles, 5.0 sacks, one pass breakup and one forced fumble over 13 regular-season games in 2023.
McNeill consistently looked like one of the best players on a Detroit defense that made huge improvements in run defense between 2022 and 2023. Finishing among the top-20 defensive tackles in sacks, McNeill's contributions as a pass rusher were also important for a unit that is struggling to find a complement to star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. With each of McNeill and Hutchinson under contract in 2024 alongside a strong group of linebackers, the Lions defense, at a minimum, is returning the key pieces that made it an elite run defense in 2023.
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Lions' Alim McNeill: Questionable for Sunday vs. Vikes
Rotowire
McNeill (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Vikings.
McNeill was a limited participant at practice all week, so his availability for Week 18 seems close to a coin-flip proposition. If he can't play Sunday, it will probably mean more snaps for rookie third-rounder Brodric Martin.
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Lions' Alim McNeill: Moves to IR
Rotowire
McNeill (knee) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
McNeill's move to IR is a bit surprising, as head coach Dan Campbell only referred to the NC State product as, "a little banged up," after Sunday's win over the Saints. However, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, McNeill suffered a sprained knee in the contest. The 23-year-old will miss at least the next four weeks, while Pelissero noted he could be ready for the playoffs.
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Lions' Alim McNeill: Working with starters
Rotowire
McNeill is seeing the majority of first-team reps at nose tackle during the opening days of training camp, Justin Rogers of the Detroit News reports.
A third-round pick out of NC State who graded out as PFF's highest-graded run defender in the country in 2020, McNeill has reportedly impressed veteran teammates with both his strength and quickness. While head coach Dan Campbell admitted the rookie is partly getting so many reps with the first team because of John Penisini's return from shoulder surgery, McNeill has a considerably more explosive profile than the 2020 sixth-rounder and it should only be a matter of time before McNeill is entrenched with the starting defense.
