Rehab updates are one of the biggest injury interests throughout the Detroit Lions’ offseason. Social media has allowed for a glimpse into what players are up to. In recent days, there has been information about Alim McNeill, Kerby Joseph, and Brian Branch.
Here is the excerpt on Alim McNeill from my Detroit Lions mailbag and June 2026 rehab updates:
Alim McNeill on his ACL recovery
McNeill met with the media on May 29 to discuss his ACL recovery. The full interview can be seen here at DetroitLions.com. Here are some key quotes from McNeill:
“It takes time for stuff to come back. Some stuff was just not there yet. It’s here now.”
“It’s a night and day difference from last year and now.”
“Overall, strength and being able to connect the mind and body. My brain being able to know this leg is good and I can step and plant here. It’s more mental and neurological.”
ACL recoveries are very reliable, but usually players are not back to full ability in their first year back. There are mental and physical reasons for this.
As McNeill mentioned, there is a mental hurdle that needs to be overcome. From a physical standpoint, MRI’s have shown that ACL healing can still be happening up to two years after surgical reconstruction.
All signs point to McNeill having a big bounce back year in 2026.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: ‘Night and day difference’: Lions’ Alim McNeill updates ACL recovery
Reporting by Jimmy Liao, MD, Lions Wire / Lions Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jimmy Liao, MD, Lions Wire | USA TODAY Network
