Lions 'Dancing Bear' Nose Tackle Enjoys Playing Defensive End
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill was still able to stay on the field, despite rookie Tyleik Williams playing 36 defensive snaps against the Philadelphia Eagles.
McNeill had the opportunity to
"Just the space, being able to see what that space is like. Getting to see guys like Hutch, Dav (Marcus Davenport) out there, you just kind of wonder what it's like out there in that space. I got to see it for myself. You got to see a couple of things," said McNeill. "We learned a lot of different things out there, learned the game of football a little differently. Because I've been so here, like with the tackle, guard, center, that I can't really see outside of me. So, being able to see it from that perspective, watch how plays unfold and stuff, when it's all inside of me, it's a lot different."
Would McNeill like to make the move permanent?
"I don't think I could do that. I think I'm locked in at 3-tech. I probably wouldn't want to. To play big end, I'm not gonna lose any more weight anyway. I gotta play a lot of 4-I stuff, so it's cool to be out there, just to see the game more differently. Definitely more space."
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard indicated he is grateful the defense is chalk full of talented, hard-working players that afford him the opportunity to put the best players out on the field and to attack different opponents in a myriad of ways.
“I believed in his first, second year, we called him a dancing bear. He’s light on his feet, he’s explosive. His first steps, just as fast as our defensive end room. Yeah, I said it. It’s just as fast," said Sheppard. "So, when you see a player like that, again, not trying to force anybody on the field. But if there is a why and a legit reason behind it, we’ll make it happen. The whole plan is to put your best 11 out there.
"I’m afforded the opportunity to coach at an organization that believes in that as well. They don’t care. Dan (Campbell) has never said one time, ‘Why is this guy, why didn’t that guy play?’ He has full faith, trust, and belief that we’re going to put these players in the best position possible.”
Chiefs Get Unfortunate Update On Injured Playmaker
The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a two-game losing streak against division rivals, the Denver Broncos, and conference mega-rivals, the Buffalo Bills.
This leaves the team third in the AFC West with a 5-5 record and currently out of the playoffs, being one game behind the 6-4 Jacksonville Jaguars, who occupy the #7 seed.
One possible buoy for the team heading into a critical matchup in week 12 against the 8-2 Indianapolis Colts was the potential return of starting running back Isiah Pacheco, who has not played since week 8 as he continues to recover from an MCL sprain suffered against the Washington Commanders.
Pacheco was a full participant earlier in the week, giving home for his potential return to the starting lineup this weekend, before the team’s injury reported was released on November 20th, saying that the two-time Super Bowl champion had been downgraded to limited practice three days prior to game-day.
Correction here on RB Isiah Pacheco (knee): The #Chiefs listed the running back as limited on Thursday after he was full on Wednesday. Xavier Worthy (ankle) and Kingsley Suamataia (concussion) were also limited.
https://t.co/6FRYxCccHC— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) November 20, 2025
“Correction here on RB Isiah Pacheco (knee): The #Chiefs listed the running back as limited on Thursday after he was full on Wednesday. Xavier Worthy (ankle) and Kingsley Suamataia (concussion) were also limited.” The Kansas City Star’s Pete Sweeney wrote.
Will Isiah Pacheco Play In Week 12?
At this point, it is not immediately clear whether the team will have Pacheco available to them this coming weekend.
Moving from full to limited practice implies some sort of setback in his recovery from the knee injury. And to make matters worse, Chiefs Digest’s Matt Derrick reported that Pacheco was sporting a knee brace at practice on November 20th.
WR Xavier Worthy (ankle) and LG Kingsley Suamataia upgrade to limited on Thursday for Chiefs. Suamataia took the next step in the NFL concussion return protocol.
RB Isiah Pacheco was limited after a full day Wednesday. He’s still wearing a bulky brace on his right knee.
“WR Xavier Worthy (ankle) and LG Kingsley Suamataia upgrade to limited on Thursday for Chiefs. Suamataia took the next step in the NFL concussion return protocol.” Derrick posted on X. “RB Isiah Pacheco was limited after a full day Wednesday. He’s still wearing a bulky brace on his right knee.”
What Will The Chiefs’ Running Back Room Look Like Moving Forward?
Indeed, one might argue that even if he is available, the former seventh round pick’s utilization rate may be substantially lower than it was earlier in the season, where he was routinely playing in over half of offensive snaps each game – and sometimes up to 75%.
Kareem Hunt‘s emergence on the Chiefs’ offense, having managed 4.5 yards per carry over the past two games in Pacheco’s absence – higher than the 26 year old’s season average of 4.2 YPC – could see him and the former starter do a 40% – 40% split, with young up-and-comer, Brashard Smith, receiving the final 20% of offensive snaps as Kansas City looks to secure the position for the future.
Head coach, Andy Reid, has always had a soft spot for Pacheco – something that was always highly warranted until the back end of the 2024 season, when he averaged just 3.7 yards per carry in the last portion of the regular season – coming off a fibula injury suffered early on in the year – which was followed by just 2.8 YPC that postseason.
But now – even with Pacheco having improved on his 2024 form, but still not hitting the heights of his rookie and sophomore years – the offense will need to decide how they want to balance carries and snaps between their top guys.
