For the second consecutive day, the Detroit Lions have activated a player from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, as second-year defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo was able to return to practice on Tuesday.
Wingo injured his knee last Thanksgiving, prematurely ending his rookie season, and began 2025 training camp on PUP. In July, Lions’ coach Dan Campbell told the media that a “September” return was the most likely scenario for Wingo, and a return-to-play at this time gives him a shot to be ready
for the regular season.
If Wingo follows the path Campbell suggested on Monday—when Khalil Dorsey was activated from PUP—the young defensive lineman will likely be worked into individual and group drills in the first few days of practice, steadily increasing towards full team play. Like with Dorsey, it would be surprising to see Wingo play against the Houston Texans this week, as he will likely be held out of joint practices and the Lions’ final preseason game of the 2025 offseason.
While Wingo typically plays inside in Detroit’s defensive scheme, he has the range to play 3-technique, 4i, and on the edge. With Levi Onwuzurike unable to play this season due to an ACL injury, the Lions could certainly use a player with Wingo’s skill set on the roster. So far this season, the Lions have leaned on Pat O’Connor and undrafted rookie Keith Cooper for this role, with the rookie getting several preseason starts as O’Connor worked through injury and filled in for others. Wingo should be in competition for this role once he reacclimates, and with his skill set, it’s easy to see a path for him to be the favorite to win this job.
