The Detroit Lions hoped to enter 2025 in better shape than during last postseason, when defensive line injuries crushed their chances of making a Super Bowl run. But on Sunday, head coach Dan Campbell delivered more unfortunate defensive news just before training camp.

Campbell informed the media that defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike will miss the entire season following surgery to fix a torn ACL.

“All right, let me begin with Levi,” Campbell said. “Levi’s out for the year. OK. His surgery was, you know, it was, it was major, but necessary. It was out of his hands, and it had to happen. So he’ll miss the year.”

NFL insider Ian Rapoport called the injury “serious” and noted that the reserve defensive lineman was one of the unit’s top defenders.

The Lions drafted Onwuzurike in the second round in 2021. The former Washington Huskies star has played in 42 games and started 10. All 10 starts last year came after injuries decimated the defensive front.

Standing six-foot-three and weighing 290 pounds, Onwuzurike has totaled 68 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble during his pro career. He sat out the 2022 season because of a back issue.

Detroit re-signed Onwuzurike in March on a one-year deal worth $5.5 million.

“Lions can’t stop suffering major defensive injuries. It’s wild. Is it just bad luck? Or something deeper with strength and conditioning?” a fan asked.

“What’s going on with all these injuries? Broncos had the same. Payton came in, cleared the whole training staff, and they went from most hurt to healthiest. Time to rethink this?,” added another.