The Detroit Lions had a long list of injuries on defense in 2024. Those issues led to an unfortunate early exit for the Lions in the divisional round after posting the best regular season record in the league.
By Dec. 16, the Lions had 21 players on injured reserve, including eight defensive linemen: DE Aidan Hutchinson broken leg, DT Alim McNeill ACL, DT Kyle Peko pectoral, DE Marcus Davenport triceps, DE John Cominsky, MCL, DT Mekhi Wingo knee, DE Nate Lynn shoulder, and DT David Bada, Achilles
“After 6 years in the NFL, I am officially medically retiring. I am proud of the career I had, but have accumulated a combination of injuries that are overwhelming my desire to continue playing,” Cominsky wrote. “Thank you to the Atlanta Falcons for believing in me and drafting an under the radar DII prospect.
“Thank you to the Detroit Lions for grabbing me off waivers and giving me a second contract and allowing me to show what I can do as an NFL starter. Thank you to the front offices and coaches that helped build me up and believed in me. Who would have thought a small town Barberton, Ohio QB would find his way to sacking NFL QBs?’
The Falcons selected Cominsky in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He played for Charleston in college. The six-foot-five, 285-pound athlete joined the Lions in 2022. He appeared in 57 games and started in 20, recording 107 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in his career.
He suffered his MCL tear during training camp in July.
Cominsky was thankful for his time in the league and the big games he was able to play in.
“I learned a lot in my time playing ball, that will absolutely benefit me moving forward,” Cominsky wrote. “I had the privilege to play in a lot of big time games on big time stages. I shared the field with players I had admired as a young athlete. I shook hands with hall of famers and met some of the best men and women on this planet
“Best of all, my marriage was strengthened and I had my two beautiful children,” Cominsky wrote. “Each coming at perfect times in my career, bolstering me to the finish line. I walk away with my family in mind and therefore, have found peace in this difficult decision. Time marches on.”