The Detroit Lions left their Week 8 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings carrying more than just the sting of the result. By Monday, Dan Campbell was sorting through a pile of injury concerns, and the list touched several important spots on the roster.
The biggest blow came with rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder, whose first NFL season is over early after he suffered a hamstring injury against Minnesota. Campbell said the injury could potentially require surgery. The fourth-round pick was visibly frustrated before exiting in the second half, angrily hitting the ground before leaving the game.
Campbell said he plans to sit down with general manager Brad Holmes to go over every option at linebacker, including the possibility of bringing someone in from outside the building. He also said every linebacker has the ability to wear the green dot and handle the defensive communication, though the team has not decided who will do it for the Dolphins game. Derrick Barnes was handling the defensive signals after Jack Campbell left the game.
There was at least some encouraging news on Jack Campbell, who was carted off at Ford Field and could not give fans a thumbs up. Campbell said he saw him at the hospital on Monday night and added, "It was good, it was positiv.
Got to see his parents and talk to his wife. Everybody's in good spirits."
The injury scene was tough to watch, and Campbell made clear how much Jack Campbell means inside the building. "I don't even know if I can put into words.
You get voted captain, that says a ton," said Campbell. "He's a guy that's trustworthy, he's dependable.
He'd give you the shirt off his back. He's just all heart, man.
All effort and just an unbelievable person."
Detroit also has several other players in the mix. Defensive end D.J.
Wonnum and Brian Branch are both in concussion protocol. Center Cade Mays is dealing with a low ankle sprain, cornerback D.J.
Reed has a hip injury, and running back Jacob Saylors is working through a neck injury. None of them are expected to practice on Wednesday at the team's Allen Park Performance Center.
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Justin Jeffersons Ford Field Meltdown Has Lions Fans Debating The Line
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The clip showing Jefferson exchanging words with a fan near the Vikings bench quickly added another layer to the games aftermath, and it is the kind of moment that tends to linger long after the final whistle. Kevin OConnell addressed Jeffersons frustration afterward and framed it through the lens of competitiveness, which only sharpened the conversation around how far emotions can run in a rivalry game when the stakes are high. [Read more 🡒]
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Lions Get An Early Week 9 Test Miami Could Complicate
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Miami has been leaning into youth, cutting veterans and bringing in a wave of rookies, which has made the first part of the season uneven. The results have mostly been rough, but the Dolphins have shown some signs of life lately, including a close loss to the New England Patriots, and that kind of progress can make an early November test a little trickier than expected for a Lions team trying to keep its footing. [Read more 🡒]