Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Paschal remain under contract with Lions for 2026 after deals toll under CBA injury provision
The Detroit Lions seemingly scored a bargain when they were able to re-sign defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike for an additional year after a breakout 2024 season, but that went belly up when the defender was lost to a season-ending knee injury before training camp.
However, a provision in the collective bargaining agreement has resulted in Onwuzurike’s contract to toll, keeping him under team control for the 2026 season. A team source confirmed the details.
Here’s what that section of the CBA lays out regarding Onwuzurike’s situation:
“A player who is placed on a Nonfootball Injury or Illness list (“N-F/I”) will not be entitled to any compensation under his contract while on such list but, except as provided below, his contract will continue to run while in such status.
“A player on N-F/I who is in the final year of his contract (including an option year) will have his contract tolled. However, if the player is physically able to perform his football services on or before the sixth regular season game, the Club must pay the player his negotiated Paragraph 5 Salary (pro rata) for the balance of the season in order to toll such player’s contract. If such player is taken off N-F/I during the period when such action is allowed by League rules, his contract will not be tolled.”
A second-round draft pick in 2021, the beginning of Onwuzurike’s professional career was marred by a back injury that eventually required lumbar fusion. He missed all of the 2022 season and was handled with precaution when he returned to action the following year, logging just 132 snaps across 10 games.
However, in 2024, Onwuzurike appeared in 16 games, made 10 starts, and was on the field for 635 snaps, more than the previous three seasons combined. In that action, he logged 28 tackles and 45 quarterback pressures.
Detroit banked on Onwuzurike translating more of that pressure into sacks last season, signing him to a one-year deal worth $4 million, which included bonuses that could raise his earnings to $5.5 million.
However, knee pain, which had lingered from the previous season, revealed an ACL injury that required surgical repair, ending his season before it began.
With the contract tolling, the terms from the previous agreement remain in place, including a fully guaranteed $1.5 million base salary and up to $500,000 in per game bonuses.
The same provision will also apply to Josh Paschal, who missed the entire final season of his rookie contract in 2025 with a non-football injury, according to a team source.
Paschal, a second-round selection in 2022, appeared in 36 games and made 18 starts across his first three seasons for the Lions.
Paschal had offseason surgery to address a back injury. Initially, he was expected to return to action early in the season, but that got delayed multiple months. He started practicing under the acclimation window in early November, but couldn’t clear the final hurdles for activation, resulting in the defender being shut down for the year three weeks later.
Paschal’s tolled year in 2026 will carry a $1,000,000 base salary and a $108,820 workout bonus. Unlike Onwuzurike, Paschal’s base salary is not guaranteed.
Good injury news for a change. But I'm a little confused - Do I read that correct that the two players did NOT receive their 2025 salary?
To clarify, does that mean the cap space also rolls over from last year to cover them this year?