​The Detroit Lions’ 2026 season is poised to kick off soon as training camp opens on July 25. In the meantime, let’s revisit the remarkable highs and challenging moments from the 2024 season through the lens of the Top 10 Injury News—updated to reflect present-day developments. Here are numbers three and four as they appeared in the 2024 Revisited: Lions Top 10 Injury News with Present Updates.
December 15, 2024 marked a turning point when losing this defensive line star proved to be a major factor in the playoffs. The defense struggled to contain both the run and the pass without him. So, where are they now? McNeill recovered smoothly from his ACL, returning in roughly 10 months on October 20, 2025. While his production during the 2025 season didn’t match his pre-injury standards, that is a typical expectation in the first year back from ACL rehab. The good news is that he should be back to full form in 2026.
There is also positive news on the offensive side, as an exceptionally healthy offense carried the Lions to the #4 spot in 2024. It was the offense’s consistent dominance that propelled the team through the regular season. And there were no long-term or season-ending injuries listed for the offense. The season’s most significant offensive injuries (with the number of full games missed, including playoff games, in parentheses) were as follows: David Montgomery, RB (3) – Right MCL; Taylor Decker, OT (3) – Pec strain, rotator cuff, right MCL/ankle; Kalif Raymond, WR (5) – Left foot; Frank Ragnow, C (1) – Left pec strain; Graham Glasgow, OG (1) – Unspecified knee; Sam LaPorta, TE (1) – Left AC joint; Kevin Zeitler, OG (1) – Right hamstring. Where are they now? Coincidence (or not), most players on the offensive injury list are no longer with the team—the notable exception being Sam LaPorta, who earned the #4 spot for the 2025 season after undergoing herniated disc surgery.
The right shoulder issue that began for Taylor Decker in 2024 persisted into 2025 and ultimately contributed to his release after the season, earning the #5 spot for the 2025 season. In the end, the Lions’ 2024 injury narrative highlighted resilience and recovery, with McNeill’s return providing a hopeful glimpse into the franchise’s future.
For continued Lions coverage, follow us on X at @TheLionsWire and like our Facebook page for updates. You can also follow Jimmy on X at @JimmyLiaoMD. This piece originally appeared on Lions Wire as part of the 2024 Throwback: Detroit Lions Top 10 Injury News—with updates to reflect present-day developments, including McNeill’s ACL comeback and the 2025 season outcomes.