Vikings Main Threat Just Took a Summer Gut Punch
The Minnesota Vikings know a thing or two about injuries rocking a summer.
A Vikings rival, the Detroit Lions, just took a serious summer blow. Here’s what happened, who’s affected, and why it could shift momentum before camp even starts.
Last year, rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy succumbed to a torn meniscus during the preseason, ending his first campaign in the pros. So did cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, who tore his ACL at 2024 training camp, and missed his sophomore season.
Now, and unfortunately for their sake, the Detroit Lions have joined the party, losing defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike for the whole season over the weekend.
Detroit Beset by Awful Season-Ending Injury
The Lions must once again battle injuries in a quest for the Super Bowl.
Lions DT Levi Onwuzurike on the Shelf for All of 2025
ESPN’s Eric Woodyard detailed the Onwuzurike injury: “Detroit Lions defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike will miss the entire 2025 season because of an ACL injury. Onwuzurike underwent knee surgery earlier this offseason, Lions coach Dan Campbell said Sunday.”
“Campbell revealed the nature of the injury as the Lions opened training camp Sunday, three days after Onwuzurike was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, where he would have missed at least the first four games of the regular season.”
And that’s that on Onwuzurike’s 2025 season. He won’t be back until next offseason. A brutal setback for a Super Bowl-contending team.
A Vicious Blow
Onwuzurike played 635 defensive snaps in Detroit last season, appearing in 16 games and starting 10. He logged a 69.4 Pro Football Focus grade, equally stopping the run and rushing quarterbacks. The man is basically the Lions’ version of Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips per impact.
The refreshing part for Detroit? Dan Campbell and Co. have ample DT depth, including Alim McNeill, D.J. Reader, and Tyleik Williams. Losing Onwuzurike hurts, but the Lions don’t necessarily have to flock to the free-agent wire for reinforcements.
A Lesser Injury for CB Ennis Rakestraw, Too
Later on Sunday — almost unbelievably — second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw suffered an injury as well. Detroit drafted Rakestraw in the Round 2 last year, but he didn’t play much on defense as a rookie.
NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper remarked, “The Lions held their first practice of training camp on Sunday and they also experienced their first injury of the summer. Per multiple reports, cornerback Ennis Rakestraw had to leave the field early in the session. The team said that he is being evaluated for a chest injury.”
“Rakestraw was a second-round pick last season, but was limited to eight regular season appearances because of a hamstring injury. He had six tackles in those appearances. Sunday opened with word that defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike will miss the year with a torn ACL. The Lions will be hoping for better news about Rakestraw’s outlook.”
Unless Detroit is cursed, the prognosis for Rakestraw’s recovery should be better than Onwuzurike’s.
Vikings’ Recent Struggles vs. DET
Detroit has unmistakably had Minnesota’s number as of late — a total change of pace from historical trends.
Vikings skipper Kevin O’Connell took over the franchise in 2022, beating Detroit in his first attempt that season, but has lost to the Lions five times consecutively since. Somehow, Campbell has dominated O’Connell, at least in terms of wins and losses.
With any luck, Minnesota will snap the naughty streak sometime in 2025. It’s overdue.
Lions-Themed Media on Onwuzurike
Lions Wire‘s Jimmy Liao wrote Sunday about Onwuzurike, “Maybe this was a partial ACL tear which may or may not necessitate surgery. The timing of the injury as well as the surgery are unknown, but would be fascinating to know. He was playing with a right knee brace at the end of last season which could be relevant.”
“The Lions signed him to a modest 1-year deal in March so there was clearly no concern from the team at that time. Presumably the injury happened after he signed his deal, but this isn’t certain.”
It’s worth noting that the Lions were utterly rocked by injuries last year.
Liao added, “On the bright side, the injury is not related to his L5-S1 lumbar fusion of which he has made a remarkable recovery from. Outlook: An ACL has a very reliable recovery, but takes about 11 months to return to play. He should be ready for next season if this is an uncomplicated ACL repair.”
“From a team standpoint, the Lions were counting on him, as they gave him $3.5 million guaranteed this year. With already many other active health concerns at the DT position, the loss of Onwuzurike could have a major impact on the season.”
The Vikings play the Lions in 104 days.
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