Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Detroit Lions will be without yet another key defender for a significant period of time after linebacker Alex Anzalone suffered a forearm injury during the Week 11 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Anzalone suffered the injury in the second quarter in a case of friendly fire. He got his arm caught between defensive back Brian Branch and Jaguars running back Travis Etienne while the two Lions defenders were trying to make a tackle.
It was immediately clear that Anzalone might have broken his forearm after he appeared to say so on the sideline. Unfortunately, that is indeed the case, as head coach Dan Campbell revealed after the game.
Alex Anzalone injury update
According to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com, Campbell said after the game, Anzalone has indeed broken his forearm. Campbell added that the linebacker is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
The Lions’ defense has been absolutely ravaged by injuries this season, and the linebacker position has been no different. Derrick Barnes and Jalen Reeves-Maybin are both on injured reserve, where Anzalone will end up at some point this week.
Now for a little optimism.
The Lions are sitting at 9-1 and in first place in the NFC North. They haven’t officially clinched a playoff berth yet, but they are as close to a lock for the postseason as you can get.
With seven games left on the schedule, there is time for Anzalone to heal up and get back for the playoffs. If the Lions can get a first-round bye, something they are currently in position to do, that will give Anzalone the full eight weeks to recover.
In the meantime, it’s going to take a village to replace Anzalone. The Lions have Jack Campbell, Malcolm Rodriguez, Trevor Nowaske, Ben Niemann and Ezekiel Turner on the active roster.
Rodriguez will likely be the primary replacement for Anzalone moving forward. It’ll be interesting to see if the Lions will add someone else.