The Detroit Lions could get a nice, needed lift to the defense with the potential return of linebacker and defensive captain Alex Anzalone. He’s been activated from the injured reserve list ahead of Sunday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18.
Alex Anzalone injury update
Anzalone broke his left forearm in the Lions’ Week 11 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was placed on injured reserve and has not played since.
The Lions activated Anzalone on Saturday, though his official status is still questionable for the matchup with the Vikings.
Here’s what head coach Dan Campbell said about Anzalone prior to Friday’s practice,
“It’s really about him getting comfortable, and so much of it is – what we really like to do is get these guys worked in before you throw them into the fire. We try to do that with as many of our guys as we can, is get them comfortable with a week of practice, then you – then they’re ready for the following week, so that’s kind of the phase we’re in, we want him, would love to have him, but we want to be smart, too. We’ve got a playoff game after this, so just trying to be right by him and by us.”
Ian Rapoport from NFL.com provided an update on Sunday morning that Anzalone will play but the Lions will monitor his snaps:
https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1875923436637188212
How long will Anzalone be out?
If Anzalone doesn’t play against the Vikings, he would be expected to play in Detroit’s first postseason game.
Lions LB depth chart
Anzalone would start next to Jack Campbell, who has taken over the MIKE role in 2024. Trevor Nowaske is playing as the SAM backer, with Anzalone doing more WILL work. Ben Niemann and Jalen Reeves-Maybin are veterans who have filled in for injuries, including Anzalone’s. Ezekiel Turner and Anthony Pittman are also on the active 53-man roster for Detroit.