The Week 15 ACL tear for McNeill will cut into his 2025 season as well, which isn’t surprising. McNeill is probably aiming for an October or November return at this point. The Lions will run out a trio of D.J. Reader, Levi Onwuzurike, and Roy Lopez in the interior until McNeill is cleared to return.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report the season-ending injury. The news doesn’t come as much of a surprise after head coach Dan Campbell hinted around this in yesterday’s post-game presser, but the team confirmed the worst on Monday. It’s yet another brutal blow to a Lions defense that will add an eighth defensive lineman to their injured reserve list once they make things official with McNeill. McNeill signed a four-year, $97 million extension in October and ends his year with 25 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and a career-high seven TFLs.

The Lions currently have seven defensive linemen on injured reserve and McNeill will evidently be the eighth. The talented three-down player ranks second on the team in both NFL sacks (3.5) and quarterback pressures (44) and fourth in tackles for loss or no gain (four). This is a significant loss for the Super Bowl-hopeful Lions. The 24-year-old defensive lineman is under contract through 2028.

McNeil limped off the field in the 3rd quarter and was visibly in distress, slamming his helmet into the bench. He was later carted to the locker room and ruled out for the game. This Lions defensive line has already endured a few crucial injuries, and McNeil is another massive one to have to overcome. The 24-year-old had to leave Week 14 with a concussion but was able to make it back in time for this crucial matchup against the Bills.