DET Alim McNeill
NFL defensive tackle. Position: DT. Team: Detroit Lions.
Quick Facts
- Position: Defensive Tackle (DT)
- Team: Detroit Lions (DET)
2026 Outlook
McNeill is in a make-or-break season after battling back from a torn ACL and LCL suffered in December 2024. He was limited to 10 games in 2025, recording just 1.0 sack and 23 pressures — career lows since his rookie year — compared to his 2024 breakout of 5.0 sacks. The Lions signed him to a four-year, $97 million extension midseason, making him the league's eighth-highest-paid DT. GM Brad Holmes views him as a cornerstone alongside Aidan Hutchinson. An offseason of strength training rather than ACL rehab should position him for a strong return; his 2026 production will determine whether the contract pays off (per Alim McNeill shut out from top-10 DT votes).
Injury Status
Returned from torn ACL/LCL (December 2024). Full recovery complete heading into 2026 season. Lions organization views him as "fully healthy now and poised to have a big 2026 season" following thorough offseason training. (per 2023 Throwback: Detroit Lions Top 10 Injury News - Moseley & McNeill)
McNeill left Friday for a neck injury evaluation after being kicked in the head by a teammate during practice. Despite the impact, he passed the concussion protocol and is being monitored. He returned to practice Sunday, suggesting the injury is not expected to be long-term. (per Lions DE Derrick Moore leaves practice with injury, Alim McNeill returns)
Recent News
- 2026-08-13 — What Stood Out From the Lions’ First Defensive Depth Chart of 2026 (What Stood Out From the Lions’ First Defensive Depth Chart of 2026)
- 2026-08-02 — Lions DE Derrick Moore leaves practice with injury, Alim McNeill returns (Lions DE Derrick Moore leaves practice with injury, Alim McNeill returns)
- 2026-07-31 — Dan Campbell: Alim McNeill being healthy is huge for Lions' defense (Dan Campbell: Alim McNeill being healthy is huge for Lions' defense)
- 2026-08-01 — Critical Update Released On Injured Lions DT Alim McNeill (Critical Update Released On Injured Lions DT Alim McNeill)
- 2026-06-05 — Lions DT Tyleik Williams: Second Year Jump Hopeful For No. 22 Player of 2026 (Lions DT Tyleik Williams: Second Year Jump Hopeful For No. 22 Player of 2026)
- 2026-04-27 — Detroit Lions Post-Draft 2026 Defensive Depth Chart Prediction (Detroit Lions Post-Draft 2026 Defensive Depth Chart Prediction)
- 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?...)
- 2026-03-17 — Detroit Lions depth chart: Decisions on offensive line and edge rusher loom large -... (Detroit Lions depth chart: Decisions on offensive line and edge rusher loom large -...)
- 2026-02-21 — 2026 Combine preview: Defensive tackle (2026 Combine preview: Defensive tackle)
- 2026-08-02 — Will Alim McNeill play for the Lions in 2026? Latest injury update after training camp... (Will Alim McNeill play for the Lions in 2026? Latest injury update after training camp...)
Open Questions
- Will McNeill return to 2024 form, or remain limited by injury recovery?