In a move that highlights their ongoing investment in developing young talent, the Detroit Lions have recently added rookie edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein to their practice squad. This decision comes after an eventful journey for Hassanein, a player whose commitment and resilience have drawn both admiration and curiosity from fans and analysts alike.
Hassanein, a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, quickly became a player to watch. His playing style is characterized by a fierce dedication—once, he famously showcased his intense loyalty to his coaches with a quote that went viral, expressing his willingness to go all out for his team. Despite being relatively new to football—only starting at age 18—Hassanein demonstrated an eager, fast-learning attitude during training camps. He absorbed coaching tips with enthusiasm, and his progress was noticeable day after day during preseason games. However, given the high standards on a Super Bowl-caliber roster, he was still considered on the fringe of the 53-man roster when final cuts approached.
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Just before roster cutdowns, Hassanein faced an unexpected hurdle—an injury to his pectoral muscle. This setback led the Lions to release him with an injury settlement, which temporarily paused his ability to sign with any team. The settlement not only meant he would have to sit out a specified recovery period, plus an additional three weeks, before being eligible to rejoin the Lions, but it also left open the possibility for him to sign elsewhere during that window. Nonetheless, the team’s clear expectation has always been that Hassanein would return to Detroit once he recovered.
As Lions general manager Brad Holmes explained in September, his main focus was on ensuring Hassanein’s best path to returning to the field: “What is going to be the best path for him? To get him back on the practice field when he’s healthy? And the injury settlement was the way to go. Especially him, specifically, with where he was in his football career. [...] Ultimately, he’s going to stay a Detroit Lion and be active on the field this year.”
By late October, Hassanein seemed eager to return, sharing videos of himself working out on social media, specifically showcasing his progress on the bench press. This signaled that his return was imminent, and now it appears that the wait is over. The Lions are once again working with him to sharpen his skills and help him prepare for a potential impact in the future. Although Hassanein remains a dedicated worker, he still needs time to develop fully before becoming a consistent contributor. Nevertheless, this development marks a positive and encouraging step toward what could be a promising career with Detroit.
Update: Hassanein has been listed on the NFL transaction report as an “international player,” meaning he does not occupy a spot on the typical 16-man practice squad limit. Thanks to a special waiver, he is officially recognized as the 17th member of the Lions’ practice squad, allowing the team more flexibility in roster management.
