Though unexpected to many, two Detroit Lions defensive linemen will be back in 2026 thanks to unique CBA provisions.

Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network was first to report that defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike and defensive end Josh Paschal will each see their contracts tolled into the 2026 season.

After emerging during the 2024 season, Onwuzurike re-signed with the Lions in March of last year on a one-year, $4 million deal. But, Detroit revealed last July that Onwuzurike would miss the entire 2025 season after suffering an ACL injury. The Lions placed Onwuzurike on the Reserve / Physically Unable to Perform List on July 17.

The Lions’ decision to place Onwuzurike on the Reserve / PUP List winds up being critical.

Thanks to a provision in the NFL’s CBA, Onwuzurike’s contract will toll into the 2026 season, keeping Onwuzurike under the Lions’ team control.

Pride of Detroit’s Jeremy Reisman shared the CBA provision that results in Onwuzurike’s contract tolling into 2026.

Article 20, Section 2 of the CBA

Section 2. Physically Unable to Perform

Any player placed on a Physically Unable to Perform list (“PUP”) will be paid his full Paragraph 5 Salary while on such list. His contract will not be tolled for the period he is on PUP, except in the last year of his contract, when the player’s contract will be tolled if (i) he is still physically unable to perform his football services as of the sixth regular season game; and (ii) he is not reinstated to the Club’s Active/Inactive List during that regular season or postseason. For the avoidance of doubt, if the player returns to practice, but is never reinstated to the Club’s Active/Inactive List during that regular season or postseason, his contract will toll.

Similarly to Onwuzurike, Paschal was on the final year of his rookie deal. Paschal was initially placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury List on July 17. Eventually, the 26-year-old was placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury List on Aug. 26.

Paschal was designated to return on Nov. 5, but his 21-day activation window expired and the Kentucky alum was officially ineligible to play for the remainder of the 2025 season.

Like Onwuzurike, Paschal’s contract tolled into 2026 thanks to a similar piece of the CBA.

Article 20, Section 3, Part B

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.

Onwuzurike, a 6-foot-3, 304-pound defensive lineman, was originally drafted by the Lions 41st overall in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft out of Washington. Onwuzurike appeared in 16 games and started 10 for the Lions during the 2024 season, totaling 28 tackles (16 solo), 13 quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble.

In his NFL career, Onwuzurike has appeared in 42 games, tallying 68 tackles, 16 quarterback hits, four tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.

Paschal has played in 36 games, starting 18, including 10 starts during the 2024 campaign. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive end registered 21 tackles (15 solo), eight quarterback hits, five tackles for loss and a pair of sacks in 2024.

In his NFL career, Paschal has amassed 62 tackles (42 solo), 15 quarterback hits, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries.

Onwuzurike’s time in Detroit has been hampered by injury before the 2025 season. A back injury sidelined Onwuzurike for all of 2022 and limited the defensive lineman to just 132 snaps across 10 games in 2023.

But, the Onwuzurike and Paschal news brings back a pair of defensive linemen to the Lions on cheap deals. Per Over The Cap, Onwuzurike will carry a $1.5 million cap hit and base salary. Onwuzurike can earn an additional $500,000 with per-game roster bonuses.

Paschal carries a $1,759,863 cap hit according to Over The Cap.