The Detroit Lions lost two of their most promising young defensive players in the first month of the season in 2021. Jeff Okudah, the team’s third overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, tore his Achilles in the season opener. Three weeks later, the same thing happened to Romeo Okwara, a rising star fresh off a three-year extension.
Achilles injuries are tough and can sometimes take over a year to fully recover from, but according to head coach Dan Campbell, both players are on track to return for the start of the 2022 season.