Lions commend lone 2026 UDFA signing to make initial 53-man roster
Lions head coach Dan Campbell commended 2026 UDFA Eric O'Neill for making Detroit's initial 53-man roster.
The Detroit Lions entered their inaugural game of 2026 with pride in acknowledging the effort that went into making Eric O Neill part of their initial 53-man roster. O Neill, who is the lone undrafted free agent to join the team, has proven his worth through his daily contributions on both special teams and defense. Dan Campbell, the team's head coach, praised O Neill's relentless work ethic, noting that every day he found new ways to impress the coaching staff.
O Neill's commitment to his role, from his collegiate days at FCS Long Island, James Madison, and Rutgers, is evident in his impressive statistics: 89 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, five passes defended, and one interception returned for a touchdown. Despite his rookie status and the challenge of earning a starting position in the defensive line rotation, O Neill embodies the Lions' values of hard work and dedication.
The team opens their regular-season schedule against the New Orleans Saints on September 13 at Ford Field, with kickoff at 1 p.m. ET on Fox.
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