he Detroit Lions may have struggled to cover Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in Week 17. But overall, the Lions defense performed better than any other opposing defense at AT&T Stadium this season.

The Lions should gain a lot of confidence from that fact. Making things even better, defensive reinforcements are on the way.

Both defensive tackle Alim McNeill and cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson could return against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18.

ardner-Johnson has provided nearly biweekly social media updates on his pectoral injury recovery progress. Clearly, he’s itching to return.

But so is McNeill, who conveyed how great he feels to reporters on January 3.

“I’ve just been sitting for four weeks. Just lifting upper body. Squatting. So, I really feel like I just came out of the offseason in a way,” McNeill told the media. “I feel really, really, really good. I don’t feel it when I’m in this (brace), so it’s kinda a wonderful situation.

“But I feel really good. Really refreshed. All I’ve been doing, the first two weeks, all I could do was sleep and eat. I got back my sleep and whatever from those past trips and stuff like that, so I’m good. Super good.”

ardner-Johnson has provided nearly biweekly social media updates on his pectoral injury recovery progress. Clearly, he’s itching to return.

But so is McNeill, who conveyed how great he feels to reporters on January 3.

“I’ve just been sitting for four weeks. Just lifting upper body. Squatting. So, I really feel like I just came out of the offseason in a way,” McNeill told the media. “I feel really, really, really good. I don’t feel it when I’m in this (brace), so it’s kinda a wonderful situation.

“But I feel really good. Really refreshed. All I’ve been doing, the first two weeks, all I could do was sleep and eat. I got back my sleep and whatever from those past trips and stuff like that, so I’m good. Super good.”