As the Detroit Lions prepare for a crucial road matchup against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, November 9, they’re looking to rebound from a tough 27–24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Sitting at 5–3, Detroit is aiming to climb higher in the NFC standings, while Washington also looks to recover after a 38–14 defeat to Seattle.
But while the team’s focus is on the field, sometimes the most important battles happen away from it—especially when a player’s health is on the line.
Josh Paschal Returns After Long Recovery
This week, the Lions announced positive news regarding defensive end Josh Paschal, who has been sidelined for over a year. On Wednesday, November 5, the team officially activated Paschal’s 21-day practice window, signaling the start of his path back to the roster.
Paschal’s absence was due to treatment for malignant melanoma discovered on his shoulder. Although the growth was ultimately determined to be non-cancerous, doctors chose to remove it as a precaution, given Paschal’s past health issues. The Lions also confirmed that he had been dealing with a back injury in addition to the procedure.
According to the Mayo Clinic, melanoma is a form of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes—cells responsible for producing the pigment that gives skin its color.
Paschal’s history with similar health scares dates back to 2018, when he was a sophomore at the University of Kentucky. At that time, doctors discovered a mass in his foot, which also turned out to be non-cancerous but required surgical removal.
“It wasn’t cancer, thank God,” Paschal told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I thought I’d only miss a week, but recovery took longer than expected. I’m just grateful to be back helping the team again.”
He expressed appreciation for the medical teams at Henry Ford Hospital and the Detroit Lions, saying, “I’m blessed to have had such great doctors and staff looking after me every step of the way.”
A Look Inside His Recovery
Paschal’s story was recently highlighted in a special episode of “Inside the Den”, released by the Lions as part of the NFL’s Crucial Catch campaign, which raises awareness for early cancer detection.
In a video shared by the team on X (formerly Twitter) on November 5, Paschal reflected on his journey: “I couldn’t have asked for better care anywhere else.” The post featured clips documenting his treatment, rehabilitation, and steady progress back toward football shape.
While Paschal has resumed practice, his official return to gameplay will depend on how he progresses during the 21-day window. After that period, the team can either activate him to the 53-man roster or keep him on the non-football injury/illness list until he’s fully ready.
