Alim McNeill’s Triumphant Return Ignites Lions’ Playoff Hopes and Locker Room Spirit

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill has clawed his way back after tearing his ACL last season. He returned just before the bye week and now anchors the interior line with D.J. Reader.

McNeill tore his ACL during last season. Weeks after surgery, he hobbled into the team's exit meetings on crutches. He caught an Uber to the facility, determined to stand with his teammates after their divisional-round loss to the Washington Commanders.

Recovery demanded months of grueling work. His return has bolstered a young Lions defense that desperately needed its starting interior lineman back in action.

In a recent interview with MLive, McNeill discussed his baseball background as a right fielder and claimed hitting a fastball is harder than tackling a mobile quarterback. He added, "It depends on who you're going against, too — the level of the speed. It's just so much harder to see." 

Who's the fastest defensive lineman on the team? McNeill picked himself without hesitation, as per MLive: "Speed and quickness — that's me. Long speed, 10-yard burst — every free race in 10 yards, I'm winning that hands down."

One play still haunts him. McNeill recalled how Josh Allen escaped what looked like a guaranteed sack in the game where he suffered his injury last year. "I thought I had him dead to rights, and he stayed up like nobody was on him," he said, as reported by MLive.

The third-year pro also weighed in on where a potential championship parade should happen. He dismissed Belle Isle because of space constraints and argued downtown would be the only location capable of handling the massive crowd.

Detroit holds a strong record this season. The team stays in contention for a playoff spot, and having McNeill back after his long absence gives them another weapon up front.