Detroit Lions’ Josh Paschal Could Miss Initial 2025 NFL Games Due to Injury, says Coach Campbell

The Detroit Lions are facing issues with their edge rusher position as the offseason nears its end. According to head coach Dan Campbell, edge rusher Josh Paschal is still on the non-football injury (NFI) list. Paschal was initially expected to return by early September, but recent updates suggest he may be out for a longer period.

Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit reports that Campbell has indicated Paschal will likely begin the 2025 NFL season still on the NFI list, which would sideline him for at least the first four games.

Dan Campbell commented that Josh Paschal may return a bit later than expected and implied he’ll start the season on NFI. Although the nature of Paschal’s injury has not been publicly shared, this prolonged absence is causing apprehension about the Lions’ already lean edge rotation.

With Paschal likely to be out, Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport became the main options at edge rusher. Yet, Davenport has a history of injuries, which is a risk. The team may have to rely on younger or less proven players to fill the gap.

Adding to the defensive concerns, the team also lost rookie Ahmed Hassanein to a pectoral injury during a recent preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. Although Hassanein does not require surgery, he’ll be out for an extended period and might miss the entire season, as told by Campbell.

Given the current situation, with both Paschal and Hassanein likely to miss the season’s start, the Lions might need to act quickly. Aidan Hutchinson remains the leader on the defensive line, but depending heavily on Marcus Davenport might be a risk. There is speculation about bringing in veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith to provide necessary experience and productivity.