With his ailing back still an issue, the Detroit Lions placed second-year defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike on injured reserve Saturday.
Onwuzurike has not practiced in more than a month, since the Lions’ first put on pads Aug. 1, and already had been ruled out of Sunday’s season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
He must miss at least the first four games of the season now, and could be out until after the Lions’ Week 6 bye.
Onwuzurike was a second-round pick in 2021 and last season missed most of training camp with a back injury, but played in 16 of 17 regular season games. He joins fellow defensive lineman and second-round pick Josh Paschal on IR.
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The Lions elevated running back Justin Jackson and linebacker Anthony Pittman from the practice squad for the Eagles game. Pittman was one of the Lions’ best special teams players last season, and Jackson had a strong camp as the team’s No. 4 running back.
They have one open spot on their 53-man roster.
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