Better health has Lions defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike feeling like a new man

Lions defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike played through lingering back issues as a rookie in 2021. Then an early training camp injury in 2022 led to a major surgery and missing that season. Apparently healthy last season, he did not play a lot and his impact was next to nil.

Early this offseason, Onwuzurike was easy to write off and chalk up as a rare draft miss for Lions' general manager Brad Holmes. And it wasn't even his fault. Back issues are no joke, and they don't just magically disappear.

Then Onwuzurike had a strong run during OTAs to dismiss some of that very early roster bubble talk.

Head coach Dan Campbell expressed a bit of automatic caution then, wanting to see what Onwuzurike did when the the pads came on during training camp. But he has been a standout in camp too. Coaches and teammates are noticing him and singing his praises, but the 2021 second-round pick had not spoken for himself during camp (in an apparent effort to stay focused on his work) until after Sunday's practice.

Better health has Levi Onwuzurike naturally feeling revived

Onwuzurike told reporters he added significant good weight this offseason, going from weighing 285 pounds last year to 305 now. Simply not having to rehab an injury allowed for a different routine than he had before, and thus far the results have showed it.

"I 100 percent feel like a different man", Onwuzurike said. "Obviously, I weigh a lot more. I for sure feel like a different man. I just feel put together."

"The best way I can describe it is stability," Onwuzurike said, about the added muscle. "I feel strong on the field. I feel fast on the field. Everything my body wants me to do, I can do."

Onwuzurike has gotten some reps inside at his normal defensive tackle spot and at defensive end during camp, doing well in both spots to add potential flexibility to the Lions' defensive line.

In an intangible sense, Onwuzurike exemplifies what the Lions' culture is about, as Holmes pointed out earlier in camp.

"He's set an example of grit, perseverance, grinding through the tough times and all those things he's had to go through. You almost forget about him because he's had all the health concerns and all that. Look, he still has to prove it on the field, but I almost get emotional just thinking about everything he's endured and what it means and what our true foundation is."