The Detroit Lions may be forced into a different kind of trade deadline than the one they usually prefer.
After linebacker Jack Campbell was injured on the field over the weekend and rushed to an area hospital, the Lions are suddenly staring at a defense that may need help sooner rather than later. Campbell is still receiving care, and it’s clear he won’t be back on the field anytime soon.
That reality puts Detroit in a tough spot. If the Lions are serious about making a playoff push, shoring up the defense could become a priority.
With the NFL trade deadline set for Nov. 10, the rumor mill is starting to heat up, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano laid out some of the latest buzz around the league. For Detroit, the most notable takeaway is that linebacker help could be on the table.
Graziano said the "NFC North will be interesting to follow."
He pointed to the Chicago Bears’ trade for Jeffery Simmons, but added that "they’re still poking around on potentially available cornerbacks, as are the Lions."
Then came the line that matters most for Detroit: "Detroit might also be in the market for help at linebacker, particularly in the wake of the terrible injury to mainstay Jack Campbell."
That doesn’t mean the Lions are suddenly expected to go shopping aggressively. Brad Holmes and Detroit have not typically been the type to make a splash before the November deadline.
But with Campbell sidelined, this year could be different. It’s a situation worth keeping an eye on.
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