The Detroit Lions received an encouraging sign when defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike was cleared to go for training camp.
Entering his third NFL season, the defensive tackle has struggled to make an impact. He showed flashes as a rookie, but missed all of his second season with a back injury.
Now, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is eager to see what he has consistently in the former second-round pick.
"I tell you what, man, take coaching and take all that aside, to see someone be able to have the injury," Glenn said. "Especially a back injury at that position, to be able to come back and just fight, strain and grind, man it feels good for him. Feels good to see that."
There was a bit of a scare early in camp for the defense, as Onwuzurike was bent backward during a rep. Glenn freaked out internally only to see the third-year player pop back up and jump into the next rep.
"I felt really, really good about that. The fact of the matter (is) that he can go through that. It tells me, it tells him more than anything, I'm okay, I'm okay," the coach stated. "We had the conversation in the offseason, I said, 'Levi listen, if you're gonna do this, let's go all in, let's go all in and let's go play.' He said, 'I'm with you coach.' It showed up in practice, especially on that play."
The defensive coordinator said Onwuzurike is still in "the developmental" phase as a young player, but added that he likes what he's seen from him early in camp.
Paschal a 'powerful, physical man'
Another player who dealt with injuries last season is Josh Paschal, a defensive end who missed all of training camp and the first six games of the season with a sports hernia.
Now, he's making a solid impression in his first full offseason.
"That's one player that I'm really excited for. For the simple fact that he didn't get to go through training camp last year, he really needed a chance to go through an offseason program last year," the coordinator explained. "So, I think we're starting to see the fruits of that show up. He's a powerful, physical man. That's why we drafted him in the second round, we expected those things from him. He's gonna be a good player, he's gonna be a really good player."
Notes
1.) The Lions challenged second-year linebacker James Houston to expand his game and become an every down player. The Jackson State product is hoping to be a more versatile player in addition to his pass-rush skills.
"He's handling it very well," Glenn said. "He understands that. I'm gonna say the same thing, you earn your keep and you develop as a player. Our job as coaches is to make sure we develop that player. He's one player that is working his butt off too, he's working his butt off to do the things that we need him to improve."
2.) Emmanuel Moseley is expected to re-join the team in the near future as he works back from a knee injury suffered last season.
Though he hasn't been present at the team's Allen Park facility, Glenn said the defender has been actively engaged and participating in positional and defensive meetings via Zoom.
"If you're not practicing, if you're not actually physically out there, there's going to be an adjustment," the defensive coordinator explained. "And once he gets back, I'm sure there's gonna. But he's a pro, he's an absolute pro, so I have no issue with that player knowing exactly what they're doing. It's just the fact of getting back there as a defensive back and doing all the movements and things like that to get back in that groove."
3.) Wide receiver Marvin Jones has been activated off the NFI list and will return to practice Monday.
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