John Penisini - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Saints sign interior offensive lineman Lucas Patrick and defensive tackle Kendal Vickers

John Penisini 'Can Add a Lot' to Panthers' Defense if Healthy From retired to playing on a top-10 defense, John Penisini makes his return to football.

JUNE 16, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

John Penisini 'Can Add a Lot' to Panthers' Defense if Healthy From retired to playing on a top-10 defense, John Penisini makes his return to football.

JUNE 16, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Two Players Who Could Replace John Penisini The Detroit Lions will be seeking players to backup nose tackle Alim McNeill after John Penisini abruptly retired.

JUNE 12, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Announces retirement Penisini announced his retirement Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Penisini was drafted by the Lions in the sixth round of the 2020 Draft and appeared in 16 games in each of his first two seasons in the league. As a rookie he played 576 defensive snaps and recorded 35 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery. However, he saw his playing time dwindle last year and recorded only 14 tackles across 16 games.

JUNE 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Detroit Lions young defensive tackle John Penisini announces surprise NFL retirement Detroit Lions defensive tackle John Penisini has announced his retirement from the NFL, days after sitting out mandatory minicamp.

JUNE 11, 2022 • FREEP.COM

Lions Nose Tackle John Penisini Announces Retirement Detroit Lions nose tackle John Penisini has retired from the NFL.

JUNE 11, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Lions defensive lineman John Penisini announces retirement Detroit Lions defensive lineman John Penisini announced his retirement via social media Saturday morning.

JUNE 11, 2022 • DETROITNEWS.COM

Out with illness Penisini (illness) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Impact Penisini appeared on track to play all week but was a late addition to the injury report due to illness. He's logged a rotational role along the Lions' defensive line, recording a total of eight tackles across 11 games on the campaign. Bruce Hector could see an uptick in playing time with Penisini absent.

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Five snaps in preseason finale Penisini logged five defensive snaps during Friday's preseason finale against the Colts.

Impact Penisini missed time during the start of training camp due to an undisclosed injury and the nose tackle then appeared out of place when he did get a look in Detroit's new defense. While he's now healthy, Penisini is not a lock for the final roster despite coming off a successful rookie year.

AUGUST 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't practice Monday Penisini was absent from practice Monday for an undisclosed reason, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Impact Penisini was banged up in practice Wednesday and has been limited since then. Although he appeared without pads late last week, he wasn't seen on the field Monday. Whether he's available for Friday's preseason opener against Buffalo remain to be seen.

AUGUST 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Underwent offseason surgery Head coach Dan Campbell revealed that Penisini underwent offseason surgery to remove calcium deposits from his shoulder, Justin Rogers of the Detroit News reports.

Impact Penisini reportedly played through this condition during his rookie season, making it even more impressive that the 2020 sixth-round draft pick led all Lions defensive tackles with 576 defensive snaps. While it's not clear when Penisini specifically went under the knife, it must have been a while ago since the Utah product has reportedly "looked good" during the opening days of training camp. Of bigger concern for Penisini is the presence of Alim McNeill, who has opened training camp with the first-team defense after Detroit spent a third-round pick on him this spring. While it's hard to imagine that Penisini won't at least be a key rotational piece in 2021, McNeill could run away with the starting job at nose tackle if Penisini is slow to bounce back from surgery.

JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Campbell: John Penisini had 'softballs' removed from his shoulders during the offseason Lions DT John Penisini played through big calcium deposits in his shoulders as a rookie

JULY 29, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

2020 Lions Rookie Report: Sixth-round pick John Penisini Penisini was a good find in the 6th round

MARCH 7, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Posts 35 tackles in rookie season Penisini recorded 35 tackles and one sack over 16 games in 2020.

Impact For a Lions defense that was among the worst in the league in 2020, Penisini was a pleasant surprise as a sixth-round rookie who seemed to improve as the year went on -- particularly when Detroit needed to replace Danny Shelton down the stretch. With Shelton now set to become an unrestricted free agent, Penisini not only seems like a lock to stick around in 2021, but it's possible he could angle for a key early down role depending on what improvements Detroit makes to its defensive line this offseason.

JANUARY 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to rock Penisini (shoulder) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Titans.

Impact Penisini was limited at practice this week before drawing the questionable tag, so it's a good sign to see the rookie cleared to play. The Utah product has suited up in all 13 games this season, compiling 24 tackles (13 solo) and one sack over that span. Now healthy, he's expected to handle his usual starting role on the interior of the defensive line for Sunday's contest.

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

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