Overview
- Both Alim McNeill and rookie Jimmy Rolder left Detroit’s training camp practice for on‑site evaluations after a run play on Friday, July 31, and both walked off the field under their own power.
- McNeill was reported to be 'believed to be OK' by NFL insiders and returned to practice Sunday, suggesting the neck issue is not a serious setback for the Lions’ projected starting interior defensive tackle.
- Rolder suffered a leg injury that will cost him practice time but is not thought to be season-ending, and Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said the rookie will remain engaged in meetings and is expected to contribute this fall.
- In response to short‑term uncertainty at linebacker, Detroit signed veteran Devin White on Saturday to stabilize the room and keep the team’s offseason development plans for younger players intact.
- McNeill’s recovery matters because he is coming off a torn ACL in December 2024 and his interior rush is central to Detroit’s defense, while Rolder’s missed reps could slow a promising rookie’s push for special‑teams and rotational snaps; roster rules around PUP and injured reserve also shape how the team manages both recoveries.