In a shocking turn of events, the Detroit Lions have announced that defensive end Josh Paschal will be sidelined for Sunday’s upcoming game due to an illness. However, this illness is no ordinary sickness – Paschal revealed that it is actually related to the harrowing cancer battle he courageously fought back in 2018.
During his sophomore season at the University of Kentucky, Paschal was forced to miss a significant portion of games in order to receive treatment for a malignant melanoma on his left foot. Now, years later, Paschal finds himself facing another obstacle stemming from his past medical struggles. Despite this setback, Paschal was quick to clarify that there has been no recurrence of the cancer that once threatened his career.
In a statement to MLive.com, Paschal explained, “No, it’s not [back]. I just had to get it taken care of real quick.” He went on to elaborate that a complication arose this week during one of his routine check-up appointments related to his cancer treatment. According to his doctors, the situation may only require Paschal to miss a single game as a precaution.
“I just had something small that I had to take care of this week,” Paschal reassured. “Fortunately, it’s not something long-term. It’s just something that I had to take care of. I had to knock it out. It wouldn’t allow me to play this week, of course. . . . But next week is the goal. Next week is a realistic goal.”
With injuries plaguing the defensive line of the Lions, Paschal’s absence is a significant blow to the team’s already struggling roster, particularly with defensive end Aidan Hutchinson sidelined due to a broken leg. The Lions are undoubtedly counting on Paschal’s quick recovery and his return to the field for next week’s crucial matchup, as well as for the remainder of the season.
The resilience and determination displayed by Josh Paschal in overcoming adversity both on and off the field serve as an inspiration to his teammates and fans alike. As he faces yet another challenge, the football community rallies behind Paschal, cheering him on in his fight against illness and pushing for his swift return to the game he loves.
