Suh reunion with Lions seems unlikely, even after McNeill injury
Detroit Lions fans hoping for a reunion with Ndamukong Suh — and there are plenty out there — probably shouldn’t hold their breath.
Lions coach Dan Campbell downplayed the possibility of resigning Suh, one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in franchise history, with top defensive tackle Alim McNeill potentially out for the rest of the regular season with a knee injury.
Asked Wednesday if the Lions have considered adding Suh, Campbell said general manager Brad Holmes has looked at “all” options.
“We haven’t overlooked anybody,” Campbell said. “Brad, we got it all up there. We’ve looked at everybody. So at this moment, we’ve made the decision we felt like was best for us.”
The Lions signed Tyson Alualu, a first-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2010 - he went 10th overall, eight picks after the Lions drafted Suh - to their practice squad Tuesday, the same day they placed McNeill on injured reserve.
McNeill will miss at least the next four games with a sprained knee.
The Lions (9-3) have a host of backup interior linemen — Levi Onwuzurike, Brodric Martin and Isaiah Buggs — who have played sparingly this season and will get the first crack at replacing McNeill.
Campbell said the Lions will bring Alualu along slowly, much like they did with Bruce Irvin after signing the edge rusher to the practice squad Nov. 15. Irvin made his Lions debut last week in a 33-28 win over the New Orleans Saints.
Suh, 36, has played for three different teams in the past five seasons while hunting Super Bowl rings, but has not played this season.
He spent his first five NFL seasons with the Lions, where he won Defensive Rookie of the Year and was a three-time firstteam All-Pro, before leaving for a record-setting free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins. He played three seasons in Miami, the first in 2015 when Campbell finished the season as the Dolphins’ interim head coach.
Known for his ferocious play and bad-boy image while with the Lions, Suh has 71.5 career sacks and started every game from 2018-21 both with the Los Angeles Rams for one season and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three.
He won a Super Bowl with the Bucs in 2020, and has said he wants a second championship so he has a ring to give each of his two children.
Last year, Suh signed midseason with the Philadelphia Eagles and played the final eight regular season games as a backup. He played 11 snaps in the Super Bowl, which the Eagles lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 38-35.
Alualu, 36, played his first 13 NFL seasons with the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers. He has 25 career sacks and can play both as a big defensive end and inside as a tackle.
“Honestly, it’s a guy who, he brings the floor,” Campbell said. “He brings stability. And so, you kind of know what you’re going to get, exactly what you’re going to get. And that gives us comfort.”
Ragnow ‘doing good’ after knee injury
Frank Ragnow is feeling “good” three days after he suffered a knee injury against the New Orleans Saints, but the Lions’ Pro Bowl center did not practice Wednesday.
Ragnow status for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears is uncertain after he left the Saints game late in the first half with a knee injury.
Asked about Ragnow on Wednesday, Campbell said, “He’s doing good.”
Ragnow was one of two key Lions who did not take part in the portion of Wednesday’s practice open to the media, along with Irvin.
Irvin had one sack and played 11 defensive snaps in his Lions debut against the Saints after signing to the practice squad in mid-November.
The Lions held Irvin, 36, out of games against the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers as he worked into football shape and with intentions on keeping him healthy for the playoffs.
Campbell said he hopes to work Irvin more into the playing rotation in the coming weeks after he showed he still can be an effective pass rusher. The Lions (9-3) rank 26th in the NFL in sack percentage (6.17%).
“That was the plan last week was give him some opportunities and then see where he’s at there, see how he handled it, see how his body is,” Campbell said. “And then potentially get him some more, so we’re looking into that. But yeah, I’d say he’s earned that.”
Linebacker Alex Anzalone returned to practice Wednesday after missing the Saints game with a hand injury. Anzalone practiced with what appeared to be a cast on his left hand.
Reeves-Maybin honored
Jalen Reeves-Maybin was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Wednesday after he made four special teams tackles against the Saints, tied for the most special teams stops in a game this year.
Reeves-Maybin also played a season-high 20 defensive snaps and had two defensive tackles, a quarterback hit and a pass breakup.
“I just try to come out and impact the game, whatever role that is, if it’s special teams, a couple defensive snaps, whatever it is,” Reeves-Maybin said Sunday. “I just come out here and try to impact the game, bring a little bit of energy to the team. I think I did that.”