All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell is officially on injured reserve for the Detroit Lions after suffering a serious neck injury last week against the Minnesota Vikings. That news just dropped, and it’s a gut punch for the Lions faithful. Losing your defensive captain is never easy, but this goes way beyond just missing a few games.
Campbell’s Road Back: A Long Shot?
The hit that put Campbell on the sideline was brutal, happening during that Vikings game. He had to be transferred to a nearby hospital, and the whole situation has been a huge worry. Campbell gave an update himself on Wednesday, saying he has “full movement in [his] lower body” and is “continuing to make progress with movement in [his] upper body.” He sounds optimistic, talking about taking things “one day at a time, staying positive, and focusing on getting better.” Coach Dan Campbell has backed that up, confirming his player continues to improve. But here’s the kicker: nobody knows what this means for the rest of his season, or even his career. His IR placement means he’s out for at least the next four games, and the absolute earliest he could return is Week 13 on December 6 against the Atlanta Falcons. You just hate to see it.
Next Man Up: Lions Linebackers Face a Massive Test
So, with Campbell out, who steps up for the Lions? They’re expected to roll out Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Trevor Nowaske at linebacker for the upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins. Plus, they’ve got Joe Bachie, K.J. Britt, and Amen Ogbongbemiga waiting in the reserves. That’s a lot of depth getting thrown into the fire, but none of them are All-Pro Jack Campbell. The defense is going to have to find a way to plug that massive hole, and fast, especially with the Dolphins on the schedule.
Roster Shakes Up: New CB Gets a Shot
To fill Campbell’s spot on the 53-man roster, the Lions made another move, signing cornerback Nick Whiteside off the practice squad. Whiteside apparently made a strong impression during training camp, even getting some reps with the first-team defense early on. Now, with top corner D.J. Reed sidelined this week with a hip injury, Whiteside is getting a real shot to join the cornerback rotation. He’ll likely be playing alongside Roger McCreary, Ennis Rakestraw, Rock Ya-Sin, and Khalil Dorsey. In other moves, the Lions also elevated defensive end Anthony Lucas and running back Jabari Small from the practice squad, though we’ll get more on those guys later.
Man, the Lions are gonna have to dig deep. They’re up against the Miami Dolphins next, and losing Campbell, their defensive captain, is a monstrous blow. Every fan in Detroit will be holding their breath until Week 13, December 6, when he’s first eligible to even think about suiting up against the Atlanta Falcons. What a brutal hit for the pride of Detroit.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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