Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday morning that Jack Campbell is still moving in the right direction after the linebacker was left motionless on the turf at Ford Field.
Speaking on Costa and Jansen with Heather on Detroit’s 97/1 The Ticket, Campbell said the team is still carrying the weight of what happened, but the latest news on the All-Pro linebacker has been encouraging.
“It’s not easy because he’s gonna always be on our minds over here.
“The good news is he is improving, but we also - we got a job to do, and this is what we’re tasked with, and there’s a reason why we go through all this stuff.
“It’s to get to where we wanna go collectively as a team, and adversity comes in all shapes and sizes and we gotta overcome everything that comes our way.”
Campbell also said the rest of the locker room has been kept informed as Jack Campbell continues to recover after the frightening scene on the field.
“I think the thought of him - knowing he’s doing better - I’ve kept the captains up to date and they’ve let the other guys know it’s good news.
“So, I think that helps everybody just get a better handle on all this. Once you know that, then you gotta move on for yourself, too, in that moment because if you let things wander and you drift and you worry a little and then you’re trying to play or prepare, that’s where bad things can happen to you because you’re not all in on what you need to be doing.
“So, that’s why it’s important that you get back to your own business. All we can do at this point is just continue to pray for Jack, put our thoughts on him when we have a minute, and his family, and it’s working, like I said, because he is improving.”
Jack Campbell was injured while attempting to make a tackle on Minnesota Vikings star TJ Hockenson. He was taken off the field on a backboard and transported to the hospital with his wife and baby son by his side, where he stayed overnight.
Players from both teams took a knee as he was being removed from the field, and Aidan Hutchinson was among the Lions most affected by the situation. As Detroit tried to finish the game, Hutchinson was left to rally the defense and delivered a speech before play resumed, even as he fought back tears.
The Lions had already issued a statement Monday afternoon saying: “Jack Campbell continues to rest and recover at a local hospital.
“Preliminary indications are positive and out of respect for Jack and his family we will not share further information at this time.”
The team also shared locker room footage of Dan Campbell leading a prayer for the linebacker. In the video, he said: “I’m gonna lower this mood a little bit.
“I do not have any more information on Jack. We don’t know anything else at this point.
So here’s what I wanna do. We’re gonna take a knee.
Now I wanna pray for Jack, and let’s keep in our thoughts and prayers”.
The prayer itself was not shown, but Campbell appeared emotional before it began, with a red face and tears visible. Afterward, Jared Goff addressed the team and said: “Hey, I love you boys.
Stick together. I know that [it’s] tough with Jack.
Stick together, lean on each other. Alright?”
Jack Campbell, the former Iowa star, was drafted by Detroit with the No. 18 overall pick in 2023. He was an All-Pro last season after becoming the first NFL player in seven years to post 150-plus tackles, at least five sacks and three forced fumbles.
The Lions signed him last May to a four-year, $81 million contract extension that runs through the 2030 season.
The injury came during a major stretch in his life off the field as well. In February, he and his wife Megan welcomed their first child, a boy named Cooper.
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