Alim McNeill has played more snaps than any defensive tackle in the NFL through two weeks, but Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said that's "not necessarily" an indictment of the depth behind McNeill on the interior of the Lions' defensive line.
"I think those first two games, man, you got the first one, you go into overtime and the second one’s on a short week," Campbell said. "And his backup right now is Sky [Gill-Howard], who’s a young player who’s ascending, and so the more he grows, the more he’ll play."
McNeill was one of three players who did not practice Wednesday, Sept. 23, along with guard Ben Bartch and safety Thomas Harper. The defensive tackle has played 149 snaps through two weeks, about 28% of his entire snap count in 10 games last
season in his return from a torn ACL.
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has played 116 snaps this season, second most among interior defensive linemen, according to Pro Football Focus.
McNeill had a sack in the Lions' season-opening win over the New Orleans Saints and has three tackles this year. Despite the modest production, Lions defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers said he's "really proud of the way" McNeill has played this year after his disappointing 2025.
"So far, I really like where he is," Rodgers said.
A sixth-round pick out of Texas Tech, Gill-Howard was expected to contribute as an undersized pass rusher in some sub packages but has seen time on all three downs in a reserve role. He's played 71 of a possible 164 snaps this season, while Tyleik Williams has played 82 snaps as the Lions' primary nose tackle.
Campbell said the Lions are in a similar boat at defensive end, where rookies D.J. Moore and Eric O'Neill are the primary backups to Aidan Hutchinson and DJ Wonnum, while Tyler Lacy plays the big end role.
"That’s where we’re getting to and what we’re working through," Campbell said. "So, no, ideally we don’t want them out there that much just to keep them as fresh as you can, but also use them, maximize what Mac and Hutch can do."
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: Detroit Lions DT Alim McNeill sits out practice as snaps pile up
