Alim McNeill admits he had ‘no dark days’ during injury rehab
Last December, Detroit Lions DT Alim McNeill suffered a serious knee injury during a game against the Buffalo Bills. Ultimately, he tore his ACL and was out for the rest of the season
On Wednesday, he returned to the Lions' practice facility and participated in the day's activities. Altogether, McNeill
“Dark days for what? I play for the Lions,
Alim McNeill on having no dark days during rehab: “Dark days for what? I play for the Lions, I’m training, I don’t have to pay for this training. … I knew I was coming back to the field.”
pic.twitter.com/RMJciMcL0r — 97.1 The Ticket: (@971theticketxyt) October 1, 2025
It remains to be seen when McNeill will be expected to play again. Before Wednesday, the Lions engaged in a 21-day evaluation
Currently, the Lions have a record of 3-1 to start the season. Before his injury, McNeill recorded 25 total tackles (17 solo), seven tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, 3.5 sacks, one pass defense, and one forced fumble. Throughout, he played a total of 14 games.
Alim McNeill brings added depth to the Lions' defense.
Undoubtedly, McNeill is one explosive interior defender. Essentially, he is the type of player who can disrupt passes and runs, especially in the backfield.
Additionally, McNeill can utilize his agility and strength to create opportunities for his teammates, making it difficult for the opposing quarterback.
Also, McNeill draws a lot of double teams, which allows the other Lions defensive linemen to take others on one-on-one. Upon his return, McNeill will gradually get back to form, and the hope is for him to be his usual explosive self by the time the playoffs arrive.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Makes Dillon Gabriel Demand After Debut Loss
Shedeur Sanders was not pleased with the treatment Dillon Gabriel received from Cleveland Browns fans on Sunday and called for a change.
Gabriel started Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. He was booed multiple times after incompletions, and the home crowd at Huntington Bank Field even chanted Sanders’ name.
The crowd got what they wished for in the second half. Gabriel was held out with a concussion and Sanders stepped in for his first NFL action. When Sanders took the field for the first time, the stadium erupted.
After the game, Sanders said he is embracing the fans’ enthusiasm but also wants them to lay off Gabriel when he’s in the game.
“Well first let me say this. Dillon’s out there playing and all that, I appreciate the fans. I appreciate everybody, but I’m a good person overall, so I don’t really like him not feeling comfortable, confident when he gets out there,” Sanders said, referencing the boos. “So it puts everything in a tough spot and it’s not helping the team. So that could be taken as, ‘OK, I’m being a distraction even though I ain’t doing nothing,’ You know? I’m not doing nothing.
“But I’m thankful for the supporters, thankful for the fans, thankful for everybody out there that believes. And yeah, when I got out there, I definitely felt them, and I’m truly thankful for it. I’m thankful, seeing all them ’12′ jerseys out there, and it was a great feeling for that.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Upset With Performance
Sanders did not fare well in his debut. He completed just four passes for 47 yards and an interception. He took accountability for his poor play in his postgame press conference.
“Losing isn’t something I’m comfortable with at all. I got to take this one. I got to decompress. I got to understand this really happened on my watch. I don’t like the feeling,” Sanders said. “And I know offensively, if I’m able to get out there and have an opportunity, I know that I’ll be able to take everything to a different level. Like I said, I still have the same confidence. I’m still me. I’ll never go anywhere. … I’m excited for it. I just got to take this one and build on it.”
Sanders had a chance to tie the game and be the hero late. But his deep shot to Gage Larvadain was dropped in the end zone.
“I don’t think there’s a doubt in my mind that that final drive was going to go down there and score. Things happen and we didn’t,” Sanders said. “But I was just excited because I knew what I was going to be able to do out there.”
Dillon Gabriel Will Be Browns’ Starter if Healthy
Gabriel is in concussion protocol. But if he’s healthy, Gabriel will return to his starting role, per head coach Kevin Stefanski.
“Yes,” Stefanski said of Gabriel remaining the starter. “There’s obviously a lot that goes into that protocol. So, we’ll see.”
The Browns face the two-win Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. There’s a chance that Sanders will get a full week of prep and draw the first start of his NFL career. If things go that way, Stefanski is confident the fifth-round rookie will be ready.
“He will improve every day, like he has. He’ll improve every single day. He’ll put the work in like he’s doing,” Stefanski said. “There’s plays I know that he wants back, but he’ll keep working. We have a ton of faith in our players and that includes our starters, our backups, our young guys, our vets. We trust our guys.”
The Browns have opened as three-point underdogs for the Week 12 matchup against the Raiders.
