Four Lions Players Who May Have to Step Up Quickly

Ayearaftertheirdefensewasravagedbyinjuries,theDetroitLionshavealreadybeenbitbythebugin2025. OnSunday,aheadoftheLions’firsttrainingcamppracticeofthenewyear,coachDanCampbellannouncedthatLeviOnwuzurikewillmisstheentireseasonafterACLsurgery.Additionally,EnnisRakestrawleftpracticeearlyaftersufferingachestcontusion. ThoughtheinjuriesarenodoubtadversitythattheLionswillhavetoovercome,thereareoptionsavailabletostepup.Asaresult,aselectionofplayerswillentertrainingcampwithaheightenedsenseofurgencyin2025. Herearefourplayerswhowillbecountedontostepupquicklyinthewakeofrecentinjuries. InO’Connor,theLionsfoundareliablememberoftheirrotationlastseason.Pickedupduringtrainingcamp,heearnedapracticesquadspottostarttheregularseasonbeforewindingupontheactiverosterandplayingakeyrolemidwaythroughtheyear. Now,withOnwuzurikeout,O’Connorwillonceagainbecountedontocontribute.HeisaSwiss-armyknifeintermsofposition,ashecanbeabigdefensiveendorlineuponthei