When Kelvin Sheppard walked into the Lions’ facility in early May, he found something that stopped him in his tracks. There was Marcus Davenport—usually reserved, often rehabbing—already soaked in sweat, deep into a solo workout. No cameras. No trainers. Just a 6’6” edge rusher attacking a blocking sled like it owed him money. “He’s been here as long as the coaches,” Sheppard would later say. And that quiet grind may be the Lions’ biggest wildcard heading into 2025.

After their soul-crushing loss to the Commanders in the Divisional Round, tearful Dan Campbell‘s Detroit Lions aren’t just looking to rebound—they’re looking to rewrite the narrative. And to do that, they’ll need more than Jared Goff’s poise or Kerby Joseph’s ball-hawking skills. They’ll need both their edge monsters—Davenport and Aidan Hutchinson—fully healthy and firing from Week 1.

Marcus Davenport played just two games in 2024 before a triceps tear in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals ended his season. The injury was brutal and unexpected, but the bigger concern became durability. In five of his seven NFL seasons, Davenport has played less than 12 games. However, Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard now believes a new version of Davenport is about to emerge.

Speaking at a team press conference on May 17, Sheppard said: “We all know the only obstacle for Davenport is the health and availability… But I’ve watched that player take no days off this offseason.” He went on to praise Davenport’s mental shift, saying: “His body looks different right now. I firmly believe in speaking with him—his mindset is different.”

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While admitting edge rusher’s important observation, Kelvin Sheppard also added, “Davenport had some setbacks in his career. But I’ve watched that player take no days off this offseason. He’s been here just as long as the coaches have uh and putting in the work. And his body looks different right now. I firmly believe in speaking with him. His mindset is different right now.” Now, this hint was enough that his mindset has changed to expect Davenport’s entry in week 1. 

The Lions previously acknowledged his recovery back in March, highlighting that his rehab from the torn triceps had reached a promising stage. The team is hoping for a return to his 2021 form, when he had 9 sacks, 39 total tackles, and 23 solo stops—all in just 11 games. 

Well, fingers crossed. But there’s more positive news for the Detroit defense. While Marcus Davenport prepares to return, there is a positive update on Hutchinson’s health. 

Is Aidan Hutchinson playing in 2025 week 1? 

The Lions‘ marquee pass rusher, Aidan Hutchinson, is also returning from a serious injury. After fracturing both his fibula and tibia in a Week 6 game against the Cowboys on October 13, Hutchinson underwent surgery and missed the rest of the season. Now, Lions defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers says the 2nd overall pick in the 2022 draft “looks really good.” Hutchinson was already putting in work during early offseason drills, and Sheppard offered a colorful confirmation of his progress.

“I said, ‘Hutch, you know how I know you’re back?’ He said, ‘How?’ I said, ‘Because you’re touching the ground when you run that hoop.’” Hutchinson—still just 24—recorded 7.5 sacks and 12 solo tackles in five games last year before the injury. That kind of production over a full season would put him in All-Pro territory.

With Davenport and Hutchinson both potentially healthy in Week 1, Detroit may roll out one of the NFL’s most intimidating edge duos. But that’s a big “if.” The franchise has been proactive in managing expectations, especially after trimming key parts of the roster (on and off the gridiron) this offseason. Still, if both DEs return at full strength, the Lions will field a defensive line with championship-caliber upside. Davenport brings raw power and rare size, while Hutchinson’s high-motor style makes him a mismatch nightmare.

The Lions open the season under pressure. Expectations have soared after two straight postseason appearances, and the pain of falling short in 2024 is still fresh. Dan Campbell’s locker room runs on fire and fury—but it’ll take healthy bodies, not just hype, to make another deep playoff run. As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes in Detroit will be on two men: Davenport, the redemption story, and Hutchinson, the franchise cornerstone. If both are upright and unleashed by Week 1, the NFC North might want to brace for impact.