A new video has surfaced showing former Detroit Lions defensive end Ahmed Hassanein making strong progress in his comeback from a major injury.
Hassanein, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Boise State, suffered a torn pectoral muscle earlier this year — an injury that forced Detroit to part ways with him through an injury settlement. At the time, head coach Dan Campbell admitted that the setback would keep the rookie sidelined “for quite a while,” leaving fans puzzled when the release became official.
Not long after, general manager Brad Holmes provided clarity, stressing that the decision wasn’t a reflection of Hassanein’s long-term value to the team.
“This move was about doing what’s best for Ahmed’s recovery,” Holmes explained. “The settlement allows him to heal properly and, when the time is right, return to play. He’s still very much in our plans — we expect to see him back contributing later this season.”
Since then, updates about the young pass rusher have been minimal — until now. Hassanein recently posted a positive update on Instagram, showing himself in the gym doing bench press reps, a significant milestone given the type of injury he sustained.
Though the exact stage of his rehabilitation remains unknown, the video clearly demonstrates steady progress in rebuilding his strength. According to league rules, Detroit couldn’t re-sign Hassanein until the agreed-upon injury settlement period — plus three additional weeks — had elapsed. With his release dating back to August 26, that restriction period has now expired after roughly eight weeks.
In the meantime, Detroit’s defensive front has held strong without him, with Al-Quadin Muhammad, Tyler Lacy, and Pat O’Connor stepping up opposite Aidan Hutchinson. The expected post-bye return of Marcus Davenport should further solidify the group.
Even so, reuniting with Hassanein would give the Lions another young, explosive edge rusher to develop. His steady recovery and renewed strength suggest that his NFL journey is far from over — and based on the latest footage, his comeback could be right around the corner.
