Onwuzurike finished the 2024 regular season with 28 tackles (16 solo), including 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble across 16 games. Onwuzurike didn't have eye-popping numbers in 2024, but the fourth-year player out of Washington gave opposing offensive lines plenty of trouble with his relentless pass rush. His fifth-year option was declined by Detroit, which means he enters the 2025 offseason as an unrestricted free agent. Onwuzurike should garner plenty of interest from teams looking to solidify the interior of its defensive line such as the Patriots, who hired former Lions' defensive line coach Terrell Williams on Jan. 22 to serve as New England's defensive coordinator under head coach Mike Vrabel.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Levi Onwuzurike news
Other Lions Players
Team
Detroit Lions
Birthdate
3/2/1998 (26)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'3", 304 lbs
Draft Info
2021: Rd 2; Pk (DET)
Birthplace
Allen, TX, USA
Position
DL
College
Washington
Experience
4 seasons
Career History
Detroit Lions
2021-Present
(4 seasons)
Onwuzurike finished the 2024 regular season with 28 tackles (16 solo), including 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble across 16 games. Onwuzurike didn't have eye-popping numbers in 2024, but the fourth-year player out of Washington gave opposing offensive lines plenty of trouble with his relentless pass rush. His fifth-year option was declined by Detroit, which means he enters the 2025 offseason as an unrestricted free agent. Onwuzurike should garner plenty of interest from teams looking to solidify the interior of its defensive line such as the Patriots, who hired former Lions' defensive line coach Terrell Williams on Jan. 22 to serve as New England's defensive coordinator under head coach Mike Vrabel.
Onwuzurike (hamstring) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bills. Onwuzurike didn't play in the Lions' Week 14 win over the Packers after sustaining a hamstring injury the week prior. However, he upgraded from limited work Wednesday and Thursday to a full practice session Friday, indicating that he's now recovered from the issue. Expect Onwuzurike to play as one of the Lions' top rotational interior defensive linemen in Week 15.
Onwuzurike (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Wednesday. This is a step in the right direction for Onwuzurike, who didn't practice at all last week and didn't play against Green Bay on Thursday due to a hamstring issue. His participation level in practice the rest of this week should help clarify whether he'll be able to return to the field Sunday versus Buffalo. Myles Adams logged 40 percent of Detroit's defensive snaps in his first game with the team last week since both Onwuzurike and DJ Reader (shoulder) were unable to play.
Onwuzurike (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday night's matchup against the Packers, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports. The 26-year-old sustained a hamstring injury in the Lions' Thanksgiving Day win over the Bears and was unable to practice throughout the week. With both Owunzurike and DJ Reader (shoulder) ruled out for Thursday night's divisional matchup, Myles Adams and Brodric Martin will likely see increased snaps with Detroit's first-team defense.
Onwuzurike (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports. The fourth-year defensive lineman from Washington was unable to return to the Lions' Week 13 win over the Bears after sustaining a hamstring injury, so Monday's DNP listing comes as no surprise. He likely needs to upgrade to at least limited participation Tuesday or Wednesday in order to play in Thursday night's divisional matchup against the Packers.
Onwuzurike won't return to Thursday's contest against the Bears. Onwuzurike remained down on the field late in the first half but was able to walk to the sideline and eventually the locker room. The Lions ruled him out shortly after halftime. With no tackles on his ledger Thursday, he's now been blanked in the box score in three straight games.
Onwuzurike wasn't able to practice Thursday and Friday after popping up on the injury report with a hip injury. He'll sit out for the third game in a row. Isaiah Buggs figures to be in line for more snaps as a depth defensive tackle behind starters Alim McNeill and Benito Jones.