DJ Wonnum, Ben Bartch miss Detroit Lions practice

DJ Wonnum said he was excited to play against his old team the Carolina Panthers this week, but he'll have to get on the practice field to make it happen. Wonnum did not practice for undisclosed reasons Wednesday, Sept. 30, three days after he had his first two sacks of the season in a 31-24 Lions w

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DJ Wonnum said he was excited to play against his old team the Carolina Panthers this week, but he'll have to get on the practice field to make it happen.

Wonnum did not practice for undisclosed reasons Wednesday, Sept. 30, three days after he had his first two sacks of the season in a 31-24 Lions win over the New York Jets.

Detroit Lions edge rusher DJ Wonnum (98) presses New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.

Wonnum said after the game he was looking forward to this week's "Sunday Night Football" game against the Panthers, who he played for in 2024-25.

“I’m excited to go back," Wonnum said. "'Sunday Night Football' game, I get to see – get to dominate, I’m going to go do my thing, for sure. But I’m excited to go back and put some work in, for sure."

Wonnum had seven sacks in 24 games with the Panthers and has played this fall as the Lions'

No. 2 defensive end opposite Aidan Hutchinson. He played 44 of a possible 66 defensive snaps against the Jets.

Offensive guard Ben Bartch also missed practice Wednesday after sitting out the Jets game with a foot injury.

Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: DJ Wonnum, Ben Bartch miss Detroit Lions practice