After undergoing hernia surgery a few months ago, Lions rookie Josh Paschal is apparently ‘ahead of schedule.’
Back in June, Lions head coach Dan Campbell referred to rookie defensive end Josh Paschal’s lingering injury as a “lower extremity” issue. He started training camp on the PUP list, which was cause for some concern, then it was revealed he had a sports hernia and also had surgery to fix it in May.
It feels like Paschal’s injury circumstance escalated quickly, with a rush of specific news. For a week, there was nothing.
Before practice started Friday morning, Campbell offered an update on Paschal.
"For where we thought he would be, he's ahead of schedule. He's a grinder."
— Kory E. Woods (@KoryEWoods) August 5, 2022
Dan Campbell on Joshua Paschal.
Dan Campbell doesn't provide specifics on Josh Paschal's progress but said he's ahead of schedule on his rehab.
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) August 5, 2022
Josh Pashal injury update: What exactly is the ‘schedule’ for a full recovery?
Anyone’s best guess is Paschal had his hernia surgery in mid-May after rookie minicamp was done. Campbell didn’t have to get specific about the injury in the weeks after, so he didn’t and he really wouldn’t have had to get specific for a few more weeks–lest he get a run of questions about the second defensive lineman the Lions used a top-50 pick on back in April.
Paschal is now getting toward three months since surgery. The injury dates back to the end of last season when he was playing at Kentucky, and it kept him out of the Wildcats’ bowl game. There’s not a firm timetable for his return to practice, but being ahead of whatever the “schedule” isa bit of good news.
At this point, Paschal’s status for Week 1 is still absolutely a question. He could remain on the PUP list into the season, and miss at least the first four games if so.
Elsewhere on the injury front for the Lions, safety C.J. Moore passed a physical and was removed from the NFI (non-football injury) list. Rookie running back Greg Bell cleared waivers, and thus reverted to IR for the Lions.