Breaking down Ahmed Hassanein injury history and defensive edge review
Breaking down Ahmed Hassanein injury history and defensive edge review
The Lions did not end up drafting a defensive end/edge player in the first three rounds like many (including me) had anticipated. It may not have been for lack of trying though as Brad Holmes post-draft stated he aggressively attempted to trade up about 30 times in round 2 and 3.
The Lions finally picked up an edge in the 6th round who happens to be the only Egyptian ever selected in the NFL draft - Ahmed Hassanein.
Here is my analysis of his medical history along with the rundown of the other key edge players.
(Age at start of 2025 season)
Ahmed Hassanein (23) - signed through 2028
2024 In final game, was playing through a suspected right ankle injury. Played all 14 games.
2023 Played all 14 games. Shoulder labrum surgery after the season.
2022 Played 12 of 14 games. Unspecified injury caused 1 missed game.
2021 Played 9 of 12 games.
Regarding his shoulder surgery, Hassanein has a full season of proof of recovery which is reassuring. It is something to monitor going forward though.
Regarding his suspected ankle issue in his final college game, circumstantial evidence on video suggests that he tweaked a pre-existing right low ankle sprain. In reviewing the tape, I didn't find any significant mechanism of injury and his right ankle was already taped up at the start of the game. He was able to tough it out the entire game and then participate a month later in the East-West Shrine Bowl practices, so it wasn't too serious and there is proof of recovery.
Hassanein should enter his rookie year healthy and ready to produce. When you look at the rest of the group listed below, you'll see that the two starters are coming off significant injuries, the depth has much to prove, and there is no long-term player beyond Aidan Hutchinson. All these factors means that Hassanein has an excellent opportunity to make an impact his rookie season and become a core edge player for many years beyond.
Forty years after The Bangles inspired the world to 'Walk Like an Egyptian", maybe Hassanein can inspire the world to "Sack Like an Egyptian".
Aidan Hutchinson (25) - team control through 2026
October 13, 2024: Left tibia/fibula fracture
Hutchinson lately has been posting very promising videos of his rehab. I expect him to be a full-go physically by training camp. From a mental standpoint, there may be a confidence hurdle to overcome early in the season which could affect his aggressiveness. It's also possible he will take time to tweak his technique to minimize the leg-whip mechanism.
Marcus Davenport (29) - signed through 2025
September 22, 2024: Left triceps tear
The past two seasons have not gone well for Davenport due to a triceps rupture and a high ankle sprain. He only played in two games last year and four games the year prior. The Lions re-signed him to a 1-year, incentive-laden, prove-it deal. Hopefully, he can bounce back from the past two seasons and indeed prove his reliability.
Josh Paschal (25) - signed through 2025
Paschal has a remarkable medical history but is healthy going into the last year of his rookie contract. He has been solid albeit unspectacular with just 5 sacks in his first three seasons. The hope is he can take a big step forward this contract year.
Al-Quadin Muhammad (30) - signed through 2025
Muhammad joined the Lions last season and was moderately productive with three sacks in ten games. While he enters next season healthy, the main concern might be his six game suspension in 2023 for performance-enhancing substances. Any further positive tests could result in a 2-year suspension.
Mitchell Agude (26) - signed through 2025 then ERFA (exclusive rights free agent)
After spending most of last season on the practice squad, Agude played in four games towards the end and enters next season healthy. However, a severe head injury at age nine could become relevant if he has any future concussions.
Isaac Ukwu (26) - signed through 2025 then ERFA
2020 ACL
2019 ACL (other side), MCL, and meniscus tear
As an undrafted rookie, Ukwu only appeared in two games last season and should be healthy going into next. He does have a history of significant injuries to both knees which is something to keep in mind.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
40 minutes ago
- USA Today
Georgia football's top 10 all-time leading rushers
The Georgia Bulldogs have one of the greatest running back histories in all of college football. Year in and year out the University of Georgia has a talented stable of running backs. This upcoming season is expected be no different. Most notably, Georgia running back Herschel Walker had one of greatest careers in college football history. He won the 1982 Heisman and won the 1980 national championship. Over the years, Georgia fans have been spoiled with the elite running back play, especially over in recent history years. In the 2010s, Kirby Smart and Mark Richt helped UGA produce four of the top 10 all-time leading rushers in school history. All of Georgia's all-time leading rushers come from the past 50 years. The Bulldogs have had so much talent come through the running backs room over the years that a Super Bowl MVP (Terrell Davis) and a Heisman Trophy winner (Frank Sinkwich) are not among Georgia's top 10 all-time leading rushers. Who are Georgia football's top 10 all-time leading rushers? 10. Thomas Brown - (2,646 rushing yards) Brown never produced a 1,000 yard season at Georgia, but he was productive when healthy and was part of an impressive running back duo with Knowshon Moreno in 2007. The Atlanta Falcons drafted Brown in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL draft. Years: 2004-2007 9. Rodney Hampton (2,668 rushing yards) Hampton was a consistent producer in three seasons at UGA. He accumulated at least 700 rushing yards and six total touchdowns every year at Georgia. The New York Giants selected Hampton in the first round of the 1990 NFL draft. Years: 1987-1989 8. Knowshon Moreno (2,734 rushing yards) Knowshon Moreno had a breakout season in 2007 after redshirting in 2006. He produced at least 1,300 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in both 2007 and 2008 before he entered the NFL draft. Years: 2006-2008 7. D'Andre Swift (2,885 rushing yards) The Detroit Lions drafted D'Andre Swift in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. Swift came to Athens as a five-star recruit and lived up to the billing. Swift is one of the most elusive backs in Georgia history. Years: 2017-2019 6. Lars Tate (3,017 rushing yards) Only Herschel Walker and Nick Chubb carried the ball more in their UGA career than Lars Tate. Tate's 36 career rushing touchdowns are also tied for third in school history. Years: 1984-1987 5. Garrison Hearst (3,232 rushing yards) Hearst was Georgia's most productive running back of the 1990s. He went on to the No. 3 pick in the first round of the 1993 NFL draft and ran for 7,966 yards and 30 touchdowns in his NFL career. Years: 1990-1992 4. Todd Gurley (3,285 rushing yards) Todd Gurley was extremely productive starting with his first career college football game against Buffalo in 2012. Gurley put on an outstanding performance in Georgia's 2012 SEC championship loss to Alabama and went on to be a first-round NFL draft pick. Years: 2012-2014 3. Sony Michel (3,613 rushing yards) Sony Michel former the best running back duo in Georgia football history alongside Nick Chubb. The duo helped Georgia win an SEC title in 2017 and a Rose Bowl. However, they lost in their final college game to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the national championship. Years: 2014-2017 2. Nick Chubb (4,769 rushing yards) Nick Chubb went on to have an outstanding NFL career primarily with the Cleveland Browns. He would've had a shot to break Herschel Walker's record if not for his unfortunate leg injury. Years: 2014-2017 1. Herschel Walker (5,259 rushing yards) It only took Herschel Walker three seasons to become Georgia's top rusher of all-time. He won a Heisman, a national championship, and went on to have a solid NFL career. Walker is arguably the best player in college football history. Years: 1980-1982
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Did the Washington Commanders win the offseason?
Did the Washington Commanders "win" the offseason? Don't tell that to longtime Washington fans who were accustomed to winning the offseason under former owner Dan Snyder. In those days, Snyder would make multiple flashy offseason moves that went nowhere. That was a long time ago. Long before Snyder sold the team, he quit spending money, and Washington was as bad in the offseason as it was during the season. The Commanders found themselves in a unique position this offseason. They were coming off a 12-win season and an appearance in the NFC championship game. And while Washington has more needs than most teams that won 12 games, the focus was on improving the roster, not overhauling it. Most importantly, the Commanders weren't looking for a quarterback. Jayden Daniels was everything they envisioned and more last season. So, this offseason was about building around Daniels. Advertisement How'd they do? While Washington didn't go crazy in free agency, mainly focusing on short-term deals with veterans and re-signing key internal free agents, general manager Adam Peters swung for the fences in two trades. The Commanders acquired wide receiver Deebo Samuel and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil in different trades, filling massive holes at those positions. Bucky Brooks of believes that Washington, along with four other teams, did win the offseason: It's hard to improve from good to great in the NFL, but the Commanders might join the league's elites with an improved roster that features more blue-chip players around 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels. The trades for Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel place a pair of Pro Bowl-caliber players in marquee positions (left tackle and WR2) that should help the offense unlock another gear in 2025. If the team can resolve Terry McLaurin's contract situation, the Commanders will have a chance to open the season with an electric offense that will put plenty of stress on defensive coordinators crafting plans to stop the juggernaut. Defensively, the additions of Deatrich Wise and Jonathan Jones fortify a unit that is coming into its own under the direction of head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. If the Commanders continue to receive key contributions from their young defensive backs (Mike Sainristil, Quan Martin and Trey Amos), the reigning NFC runner-up could take the next step in 2025. My expectation for 2025: The Commanders are built to run through the NFC with a superstar quarterback surrounded by a stellar supporting cast. If Washington can secure the NFC's No. 1 seed, we could see a championship parade in the nation's capital come February. It's hard not to like how Peters approached the offseason. While questions remain about the pass rush, the Commanders worked hard to strengthen their run defense and add valuable depth to the secondary. It's challenging to fill every need in one offseason, but in two years as Washington's GM, Peters has restocked three of the NFL's most important positions. The Commanders have a franchise quarterback, two bookend offensive tackles and quality cornerback depth. That's a tremendous offseason. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Analyst names Commanders as an offseason winner
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
5 biggest issues facing the NFL in 2025: Beware of greed
Editor's note: This story is a part of a series by USA TODAY Sports called Project: June. We will publish at least one NFL-themed story every day throughout the month because fans know the league truly never sleeps. The NFL season doesn't start for several months but that doesn't mean we can't step into a time machine and look into the future. Particularly, examining some of the problems the league may face in the coming 2025 season. Some of these issues are more tactile while others are more theoretical. But they are all potentially problematic. Here are five to look out for: 5. There's no team to hate Hate generates interest. Not that the NFL needs more people watching. There's plenty, of course. The NFL averaged 17.5 million viewers last season, down about 2% from the previous year. One of the things that has always made the league even more watchable is hating a player or team. The Patriots were remarkable villains during their dynastic years. Historic team. Accused cheaters. Accused football deflators. Arrogant. They were historic bad guys. There's really no entity like that now. Every team in the league is likeable. Go ahead. Name a team that's even in the same universe as those Patriots. Yes, you may hate the Cowboys because they're the Cowboys. But Dallas hasn't been truly relevant on the field in decades. They're too average to hate. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles? Nice guys. Kansas City? Difficult to hate overall. Though admittedly there are some, well, questionable dudes on the roster. But how can you hate any team where one of the players is dating Taylor Swift? The Ravens? Quarterbacked by a hardworking, good dude in Lamar Jackson. The Raiders? They are now led by a kind, elder gentleman. Once another villain team emerges (and that will happen) the NFL will get even more interesting and, well, fun. For now the hate factor is low. 4. Backtracking on DEI There are some people who agree with what appears to be (at least partially) some backtracking on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives the league had fully engaged in after the murder of George Floyd. (If you want to read about what the NFL is doing regarding DEI, my super talented colleague Jarrett Bell recently wrote all about it.) Yes, some people will like that, but plenty won't. They are paying attention to what the NFL is doing and don't agree. If they weren't already suspicious about the league, they will be. 3. It's more expensive to watch games If you don't have traditional cable, and you want access to every NFL game, you will need some six streaming services. The changing, more expensive nature to watching football might not be a long-term threat since people will adjust, but it will be an issue for some in the near future. It can be confusing and most importantly, it can be more costly to watch football in 2025. 2. Officiating You may not have heard this news but the NFL relegated three officials back to college, according to Football Zebras, which relentlessly covers officiating. It was an anecdotal indication of what many of us know with the NFL: the officiating remains highly problematic. The league will vehemently disagree with this but watch any NFL game and you can see it. This isn't new but it's still relevant. The speed of the game is superhuman while the refs are analog. 1. Greed This will always be an issue in professional sports but especially in the NFL. The league has rarely paid a price for being greedy, so it plunges ahead with things like plans for an 18-game season. Maybe the NFL will never pay a price for constantly pushing the money envelope. We'll see. But in normal physics there is such a thing as saturation. Next: 5 things that will go right for the NFL in 2025. All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
