ROMEO OKWARA NEWS

Not expected back until midseason Lions defensive line coach Todd Wash said that Okwara (Achilles) is expected to be ready around the middle of the season, Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Impact A midseason return would be more than a month past the anniversary of Okwara's surgery to repair a torn Achilles. While it had seemed possible that it wouldn't take that long for the 27-year-old to return to game shape, the Lions' coaching staff doesn't seem inclined to rush Okwara back on the field. Okwara thus looks set to spend both training camp and the first part of the regular season on the PUP list. Meanwhile, look for Aidan Hutchinson and Charles Harris to take on large early season roles at defensive end.

JUNE 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Returning to defensive end Okwara (Achilles) will primarily play defensive end in Detroit's new 4-3 defense, Benjamin Raven of MLive.com reports. "He's a defensive end. He'll play a rush position in base, an...

Impact Okwara was moved to outside linebacker last year when the team switched to a 3-4 base defense, and it wasn't good for his production. Now that he's back at defensive end, there's hope he can replicate the 10-sack season the 27-year-old collected over 16 games in 2020. After he watched practice from the sidelines during spring practices, the main concern is a slow return from the Achilles injury he suffered last October. Should he miss games to begin the year, Charles Harris will likely get all the work he can handle opposite 2022 second overall pick Aidan Hutchinson.

JUNE 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

THE DAILY DRIVE: Lions know how they'll use Romeo Okwara when he returns from Achilles injury Detroit Lions sign second-round pick DL Josh Paschal, announce front office promotions

JUNE 20, 2022 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Lions Romeo Okwara 'Not Completely Healthy' Yet The coaching staff has a vision for how to use Romeo Okwara when he returns to the lineup.

JUNE 18, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Lions use six of eight draft picks for defensive rebuild

The Detroit Lions continued to make big investments on defense in the NFL draft and are hoping that they result in immediate rewards to a franchise that has struggled in recent sea...

MAY 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Could return for training camp Okwara (Achilles) is expected to miss most of the Lions' offseason training program, but he could be ready by the start of training camp, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press rep...

Impact Detroit's 2020 sack leader ruptured his Achilles on Oct. 3 and underwent surgery shortly thereafter. Okwara has progressed to the point where he "soon" will be running on an underwater treadmill, and he could be available when players put on pads during training camp. The veteran's healthy return in 2022 could go a long way for a Lions pass rush that finished 27th in sack rate this past season.

FEBRUARY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Winless Lions approaching final stretch as a new season

Dan Campbell spent much of last week scouting his own winless team

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Romeo Okwara staying fully engaged with Lions despite being out for the season Lions LB coach Kelvin Sheppard talked about how Okwara is staying involved with the team

OCTOBER 15, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Banged-up Lions put center Frank Ragnow on injured reserve

The Detroit Lions put standout center Frank Ragnow on injured reserve, another setback for a banged-up winless team

OCTOBER 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Destined for surgery Okwara (Achilles) announced via his official Instagram account Wednesday that he is scheduled for surgery this week.

Impact Okwara suffered a season-ending torn Achilles during the Lions' loss to the Bears in Week 4, so it's no surprise to see him set to go under the knife. The injury is, of course, a brutal turn of events for the standout linebacker, who put together a career-high 10 sacks last season. Charles Harris stands to inherit a larger defensive role in Okwara's stead.

OCTOBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on IR Okwara (Achilles) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

Impact As expected, the linebacker was placed on IR following his season-ending injury. He'll look to recover and be available to rejoin his brother Julian Okwara and the Lions next season.

OCTOBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lions' Campbell keeps taking risks; results not there yet

First-year Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell has gone for it on fourth down a league-high 10 times

OCTOBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lions Get Terrible Romeo Okwara Injury Update After Week 4 The Detroit Lions have gotten a terrible Romeo Okwara injury update after their Week 4 game.

OCTOBER 4, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM

Detroit Lions' Romeo Okwara reportedly suffered torn Achilles tendon in Chicago Detroit Lions' Romeo Okwara suffered a torn Achilles tendon during Sunday's loss in Chicago, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

OCTOBER 4, 2021 • FREEP.COM

Diagnosed with torn Achilles Okwara will miss the remainder of the season after he was diagnosed with a torn Achilles on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact The 26-year-old totaled six tackles (three solo) and one sack across the first four games of the season, but he'll now shift his focus toward his lengthy recovery process. Charles Harris and Austin Bryant will likely assume larger roles with Okwara unavailable.

OCTOBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Garoppolo injures calf; Montgomery hurts knee

San Francisco turned to rookie quarterback Trey Lance when starter Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a calf injury

OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Potential season ending injury Dan Campbell said Okwara has a potential Achilles injury, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Impact Okwara suffered what was initially diagnosed as an ankle injury during the first half of Sunday's contest. However, it may be more serious than initially thought. If it is indeed an Achilles injury, he would be the second Lion -- Jeff Okudah is also out -- to sustain a season-ending Achilles injury this season. Charles Harris replaced the 26-year-old linebacker during Week 4 and will likely assume a bigger role if Okwara has to miss an extended period.

OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for remainder of game Okwara (anke) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's contest against the Bears.

Impact The Lions were already without Trey Flowers (shoulder) for the game, and they take another hit to their defensive line with Okwara being ruled out. Charles Harris will likely see an increased role for the remainder of the contest.

OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

PIcks up ankle injury Sunday Okwara (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest against the Bears.

Impact Okwara was a limited participant in practice all week with a shoulder injury, but he has picked up an ankle injury Sunday. The Lions are already thin at outside linebacker with Trey Flowers (shoulder) inactive, so Charles Harris will likely see an increase in snaps during Okwara's absence.

OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

The Latest: Brady sets NFL's career passing mark

Tom Brady is the NFL’s new all-time passing leader

OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Limited in practice all week Okwara (shoulder) has been listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Bears.

Impact Okwara landed on the injury report this week and was a limited participant in every practice. The 26-year-old had his most productive game of the season in Week 3, logging a season-high four tackles and his first sack of the year. Trey Flowers (shoulder) has already been ruled out, so the Lions are already thin at outside linebacker. If Okwara isn't able to suit up, Charles Harris will likely see an increase in snaps against the Bears.

OCTOBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

High school highlights: Outside linebacker Romeo Okwara Watch highlights from linebacker Romeo Okwara's high school football days.

OCTOBER 1, 2021 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Tallies first sack Okwara recorded four tackles and a sack in Sunday's Week 3 loss to the Ravens.

Impact Okwara has been a mainstay for Lions' defense through three contests, logging snap rates of 96, 97 and 100 percent. He managed his most productive game to this point in Week 3, as his four tackles were a season high and he also managed his first sack. Okwara figures to continue in a key role for the team heading into a Week 4 matchup against Chicago.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Campbell blames lack of communication for Lions' loss

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell watched the film of Sunday’s 19-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and there was one thing he wasn’t seeing

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lions need quality defensive performance against 49ers

The Detroit Lions have one of the youngest defenses in the NFL, and they’ll have their hands full in Week 1 against a San Francisco offense that promises to be unpredictable

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS