The 11-5 Detroit Lions have clinched their first NFC North division title for the first time since 1993 and are currently the 3rd seed in the NFC Playoff Picture.
Their defense deserves some credit for clinching a playoff berth, considering how bad the defense was last season.
One of their star defensive players could return to the lineup as early as this week.
The Detroit Lions received positive news regarding their star defensive tackle.
Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters yesterday that Alim McNeill will likely return to practice and could play in Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings:
“Love to get Mac (Alim McNeill) involved. It’s Monday, but that’s what’s tentatively in my head.”
Detroit will likely designate McNeill for return from injured reserve in the next few days. When they designate him, he will have 21 days to practice before he can be elevated to the active roster.
The defensive tackle was having a great third season.
McNeill was playing well before the injury. He had 31 tackles, six for a loss, nine quarterback hits, five sacks, one pass deflection, one forced fumble, 12 pressures, and an 88.1 PFF Grade.
He suffered a knee sprain in their Week 13 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. He was placed on injured reserve and missed the last four weeks.
Who was his replacement?
Isaiah Buggs took over for the injured McNeill. Buggs appeared in ten games and started in three. He has 12 tackles, two for a loss, one quarterback hit, one sack, one pass deflection, one pressure, and a 62.3 PFF Grade.
Detroit released Buggs to make room for McNeill.
Who’s the other starting defensive tackle?
Benito Jones is the other starting defensive tackle on the team. Jones has appeared in every game and started in 14. He has 25 tackles, three for a loss, six quarterback hits, one sack, seven pressures, and a 41.2 PFF Grade.
What impact does McNeill returning have on the defense?
Potentially having Alim McNeill back in the lineup will positively impact the defense because he’s an excellent run defender and pass rusher.
Detroit has one of the best-run defenses in the league. They allow the 5th fewest attempts, the 5th fewest rushing yards, the 11th most rushing touchdowns, the 4th fewest yards per rush, and the 3rd fewest rushing first downs. He’s one of their best run stuffers, and the run defense will be more dominant when he returns.
Detroit has a solid pass rush. They have the most hurries, the third-most quarterback knockdowns, the third-most pressures, and the twenty-sixth-most sacks. Despite missing four games, McNeill is second on the team in sacks.
The Detroit Lions couldn’t ask for a better time to get one of their star defensive players back from injury.
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