DET Levi Onwuzurike
NFL player. Position: DL. Team: DET.
Quick Facts
- Position: DL (Interior Defensive Lineman)
- Team: DET (Detroit Lions)
2026 Outlook
Onwuzurike is recovering from ACL surgery (performed around May 2025) after signing a 1-year free agent contract with the Lions. He participated in OTA activities in early June 2026, signaling that the Lions are giving him a genuine opportunity to compete for a roster spot. Unless there's a setback with the knee, he should be ready in plenty of time for training camp and the season. However, production expectations should be tempered in his first year back from ACL injury, as evidenced by similar lineman recoveries like Alim McNeill (per Detroit Lions OTA Injury Participation Update: Levi Onwuzurike - Yahoo Sports).
In 2024, before his ACL injury, Onwuzurike was a regular contributor on 697 snaps with a 70.2 overall PFF grade, generating 47 pressures with an 11.9% pass-rush win rate tied for 13th among interior defenders. With D.J. Reader departing, the Lions' interior defensive line now consists of Alim McNeill, Tyleik Williams, and the returning Onwuzurike—positioning him to play a major role in an elite pass-rushing unit. (per 5 NFL players set to return in 2026 after missing all of last season - PFF)
Role / Depth Chart
Interior defensive lineman, fighting for depth/rotation role.
Injury Status
Recovering from ACL surgery (May 2025). Participating in OTA activities. Expected to be ready for training camp pending no further setbacks.
Recent News
- 2026-06-20 — Detroit Lions Post-Minicamp Updated 2026 Defensive Depth Chart (Detroit Lions Post-Minicamp Updated 2026 Defensive Depth Chart)
- 2026-04-27 — Lions post-draft depth chart: How quickly will Blake Miller, Derrick Moore contribute?... (Lions post-draft depth chart: How quickly will Blake Miller, Derrick Moore contribute?...)
- 2026-04-27 — Detroit Lions Post-Draft 2026 Defensive Depth Chart Prediction (Detroit Lions Post-Draft 2026 Defensive Depth Chart Prediction)
- 2026-06-10 — 2026 NFL Free Agency Tracker: Best Available Free Agents (2026 NFL Free Agency Tracker: Best Available Free Agents)
- 2026-04-28 — TWENTYMAN: 5 takeaways from 2026 NFL Draft (TWENTYMAN: 5 takeaways from 2026 NFL Draft)
- 2026-06-17 — TWENTYMAN: Minicamp Day 2 observations (TWENTYMAN: Minicamp Day 2 observations)
- 2026-04-26 — Detroit Lions projected depth chart: Where the 2026 draft picks fit in (Detroit Lions projected depth chart: Where the 2026 draft picks fit in)
- 2026-04-20 — Lions 2026 NFL Draft tracker: Full list of picks, roster needs, targets, and more (Lions 2026 NFL Draft tracker: Full list of picks, roster needs, targets, and more)
- 2026-04-09 — 2026 NFL Draft preview: 5 edge rushers that could interest Lions (2026 NFL Draft preview: 5 edge rushers that could interest Lions)
- 2026-03-12 — Detroit Lions Projected Depth Chart After Early 2026 Free Agency (Detroit Lions Projected Depth Chart After Early 2026 Free Agency)