Detroit Lions rookie edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein suffered an injury during the team’s second preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, raising concern for a defensive unit that has already been dealing with depth questions.
The setback occurred in the third quarter of Saturday’s contest. After a play, Hassanein was noticeably shaken and sat on the turf for an extended stretch while trainers attended to him. Eventually, he got up slowly, but his body language made it clear something wasn’t right.
According to team insider Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com, Hassanein appeared to be protecting his right arm as he left the field. Instead of heading to the sideline medical tent for evaluation, he was escorted directly to the locker room, a move that often indicates the injury is significant enough to warrant further testing. While the Lions have yet to provide an official update, it is safe to assume Hassanein’s afternoon ended there.
This potential loss comes at an unfortunate time for Detroit. The Lions have already had their share of injury concerns in 2024, and the edge rusher position in particular carries plenty of uncertainty. Behind star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, the depth chart is unsettled. Marcus Davenport is projected to start opposite Hutchinson, but his injury history makes him a risky option. If Hassanein’s situation sidelines him for any length of time, the team will be forced to lean heavily on unproven players to provide rotational support.
For Hassanein, the injury interrupts what had been a promising start to his NFL journey. A sixth-round selection in April’s draft, the rookie had flashed potential throughout training camp and was working his way toward earning a reserve role on the 53-man roster. Coaches had praised his motor and effort, viewing him as a developmental piece who could contribute situationally this fall.
Detroit is banking on a stronger pass rush to complement Hutchinson and help mask some of the questions in the secondary. Any long-term setback for Hassanein would complicate those plans, especially since the Lions were already thin at the position. His health will be monitored closely in the coming days as the team looks to determine the severity of the issue.
At this point, all signs suggest that Hassanein’s day against Miami ended prematurely, and further evaluations will dictate his availability moving forward. The Lions, meanwhile, must once again deal with the uncertainty that injuries bring, particularly at a position where reliable depth is already in short supply.
