As the first Detroit Lions game day arrives in the 2026 NFL season on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field, Detroit hopes it has effectively bolstered its defensive line surrounding Aidan Hutchinson.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke highly earlier this week of the impact and impression that defensive end DJ Wonnum has made since signing a one-year, $3 million deal with Detroit
this offseason.The 2020 fourth-round (No. 117 overall) pick by Minnesota spent his first six seasons split between the Vikings and Carolina Panthers.
“I just remember when he came in, he was one of those guys,” Campbell said. “He’s a lunch-pail guy that’s going to give everything that he’s got, and he plays a smart brand of football, and I love that about
him.”
"He's a lunchpail guy that's gonna give everything he's got." pic.twitter.com/3kvFigFOhy
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 7, 2026
So far in his career, the former South Carolina Gamecock has recorded 250 tackles (142 solo), 59 quarterback hits, 32 tackles for loss, 30 sacks, 15 passes defended, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries for one touchdown, and one interception through 54 starts across 86 career games.
Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes hope Wonnum can complement Aidan Hutchinson in the pass rush and hold the line in the run game, which is a clear need the Lions focused on this offseason.
The Lions open their regular-season slate on Sunday, Sept. 13 at Ford Field against the Saints. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. ET, and Fox will broadcast the game.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions excited about DJ Wonnum addition, debut vs. Saints
