Health Update on Lions Vaitai, Walker, Onwuzurike

Originally posted on FanNation All Lions
By John Maakaron | Last updated 4/1/23

The Detroit Lions have the potential for a few injured players to return at the start of the season to contribute for a playoff contending team.

General manager Brad Holmes signed cornerback Emmanuel Moseley after he missed the majority of the 2022 season with a torn ACL.

By all accounts, Moseley's rehabilitation is on schedule and the team is expecting the talented defensive back to contribute at a high level.

Last season, the team was without offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai, safety Tracy Walker and defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike for large chunks of the season.

At the recently completed league meeting, Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell provided updates on Vaitai and Onwuzurike, while Walker has been regularly posting updates on social media.

Halapoulivaati Vaitai

Vaitai was lost for the 2022 season after suffering a back injury during training camp.

"He's in a good place. We actually got some recent reports back that he's in a really good place," Holmes said. "And we felt confident about doing the deal and glad to have him back."

Having the 29-year-old back in the mix will provide a level of competition the coaching staff is excited about at right guard.

"Let's see where Big V's at coming off this back. I know we have some optimism in the building, you know? But we won't know," said Campbell. "And really, that's what Graham (Glasgow) gives you, man. He gives you ability, he can step in and he can hold the fort down. Man, if you need him at either of the positions, left guard, right guard or center, you got a guy. It's good to get him."

Tracy Walker

After tearing his Achilles against the Minnesota Vikings, Walker has kept supporters up to date on social media.

Detroit's starting safety expressed his rehab is ahead of schedule and feels very close to being fully healthy.

“I’m so close to being a 100%. Stay tuned," Walker expressed.

Levi Onwuzurike

The prognosis has not been as promising for Detroit's former second-round pick.

After undergoing back surgery that cost him the majority of his sophomore campaign in Motown, the team is going to give Onwuzurike an opportunity to work his way back into the rotation, but understand the caution needed due to the severity of his back injury.

“We talked to him a couple of weeks ago, he was doing good, the rehab has gone well,” Campbell said. “But you just don’t know. You don’t know with a back. But I mean certainly, he’s going to get an opportunity if the body will allow it.”

This article first appeared on FanNation All Lions and was syndicated with permission.

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