There will be one less player the Chicago Bears will have to gameplan for in one of their early-season matchups in 2025.
The Detroit Lions placed defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, which will result in him missing the first four regular-season games. Onwuzurike's injury is unknown.
He's coming off a season where he had 28 tackles, 3.5 stuffs, 1.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery in 16 games. Onwuzurike is entering his fifth season in the NFL, all with the Lions.
How does this impact the Bears entering the season?
The Bears are scheduled to play the Lions in Week 2 of the regular season with a noon kickoff in Detroit. While no one should ever cheer for injury, this does significantly impact the game in a sneaky way no one might think.
Chicago rebuild the interior of the offensive line this week with Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson joining the starting line. Thuney and Jackson are holding down at the guard positions while Dalman will be the center.will
If there is one thing the NFC North has shown everyone is that teams have to win in the trenches to win tough divisional games. This will certainly effect how the Lions will rotate through their linemen in the game.
Alim McNeill and D.J. Reader are the projected starters at tackle for the Lions. This means that Onwuzurike's injury will directly affect the rotation of linemen that come in and might require McNeil and Reader to play more snaps.
Everyone knows how bad the Bears' offensive line played a season ago. 68 sacks surrendered, most in the NFL, and only averaged 102 rushing yards per game. That's something Chicago couldn't have happen again.
The Lions are facing a whole new offensive line in the middle that is ready to take on the best run stuffers in the league. Thuney himself has been to three straight Pro Bowls and is considered one of the best guards in the NFL.
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While some might think this isn't a big deal, the Week 2 matchup will likely be impacted in favor of the Bears and their new interior offensive line as they get into rhythm together. Chicago might be able to pull one out on their division rivals.