Speaking Tuesday morning on 97.1 The Ticket with Costa, Jansen, and Heather, Campbell didn’t hold back when asked about Alim McNeill’s availability for Monday night’s home matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“Unless something unexpected happens this week, Alim’s absolutely playing, man,” Campbell said with excitement.
That’s classic Campbell: direct, fiery, and overflowing with confidence in his team. And for the Detroit Lions, it’s exactly the kind of news they needed heading into a primetime clash that could shape their midseason momentum.
A Major Lift for the Lions’ Defensive Line
McNeill’s comeback couldn’t be timed better. The Lions’ defense has been strong through six games, sitting 9th in total defense (308.2 YPG) and 11th in rushing defense (95.5 YPG). But in McNeill’s absence, they’ve missed that dominant interior presence who can collapse pockets and command double teams.
Detroit’s Week 6 defeat to Kansas City showed how valuable he truly is. The Chiefs exploited gaps between the tackles that rarely appear when McNeill is holding down the middle.
Now, with Tampa Bay up next — a team ranked just 20th in rushing offense (109.3 YPG) — McNeill’s presence could instantly swing the advantage toward Detroit. Expect him to clog lanes, force Baker Mayfield into quicker throws, and free up Aidan Hutchinson to dominate off the edge.
The Lions already hold a slight edge on both sides of the ball, and McNeill’s return only enhances it.
He’s not merely a run-stuffer — he’s a play-wrecker. In 2024, before going down, McNeill ranked among the top-graded defensive tackles in the league by PFF in both run defense and interior pressure rate.
When McNeill’s active, linebackers like Jack Campbell and Alex Anzalone can play faster and more instinctively. The ripple effect through Kelvin Sheppard’s defense is massive.
Campbell’s Confidence Mirrors a Strong Locker Room
Perhaps most impressive is the conviction behind Campbell’s words.
He isn’t cautiously optimistic — he’s assertive, almost defiant.
That mirrors the current energy inside Detroit’s locker room: bonded, motivated, and ready to respond after the setback in Kansas City. Campbell also suggested earlier this week that by late November, the Lions could be “as healthy as they’ve been all season.”
Alim McNeill’s return reshapes the Lions’ defensive outlook heading into Monday night. Detroit has been good without him — but with him, they might be dominant again.
