The Detroit Lions’ impressive season came to a painful end, but now it’s time to look forward. Over the next two weeks, MLive will review each of the team’s position groups, starting with the linebackers.
LINEBACKERS
Starters (from end of season): Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Trevor Nowaske
Backups: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Ben Niemann, Trevor Nowaske, David Long Jr., Mitchell Agude, Anthony Pittman, Zeke Turner, Kwon Alexander
Injured: Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes
Key Stats: Jack Campbell played every game this season, leading the team with 131 combined tackles. As his role in the defense expanded, his special teams snaps decreased by 90, while his defensive snaps increased by 335.
Alex Anzalone, despite missing seven games due to injury and illness (including six with a broken forearm), still ranked second on the team with seven tackles for loss.
The Lions’ run defense took a step back but remained in the top five, allowing 98.4 rushing yards per game. Despite injuries and roster changes, linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard (now the defensive coordinator) did a commendable job preparing the group.
Kory’s grade: C
Breakdown: Heading into the season, the Lions’ linebacker corps was one of their deepest units, with reliable depth to step in if any starters got hurt. However, losing two key starters for significant parts of the season, as well as several backups, forced the Lions to rely on Jack Campbell for all 17 games alongside a rotating cast.
Derrick Barnes, who had a strong third season, was lost to a knee injury after just three games. His versatility — covering, rushing the passer, and even playing edge rusher — was a crucial missing piece for the Lions’ defense. With Barnes out, Malcolm Rodriguez’s role grew.
Rodriguez, who started 15 games as a rookie in 2022, began the season as the Lions’ fourth linebacker but took on more responsibility after another starter’s major injury. As the Lions shifted to a linebacker-by-committee approach, injuries continued to mount, and Rodriguez himself tore his ACL in a Week 13 victory over the Chicago Bears.
Alex Anzalone, the team’s top tackler from the previous season and best coverage linebacker, was performing well. Before his injury in Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he had accumulated 51 tackles, six for loss, four quarterback hits, four passes defended, and one sack. Unfortunately, Anzalone broke his forearm during a dominant win over Jacksonville, missing six games before returning in Week 18 to help the Lions clinch their second straight NFC North title.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, a key special teams player and reserve linebacker, missed seven games due to an upper-body injury. His absence was felt both on special teams and in his reserve role on defense.
As injuries depleted the unit, the Lions were forced to sign players like David Long Jr. and Zeke Turner, as well as bring in Anthony Pittman and Kwon Alexander from practice squads.
Reflecting on the season, head coach Dan Campbell remarked, “When you come away, in hindsight, looking at this after what just happened, you’re like, ‘Man, can we ever have enough defensive depth? Is that possible?’” He continued, “Because we were loaded — you don’t think about losing ones and twos in nearly every group. But you only have 53 spots. We’re going to look at everything, but this was one of those bizarre, freakish years.”
Given the constant turnover due to injuries, it’s tough to fairly evaluate the linebacker unit. The lack of continuity meant constant adjustments for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and position coach Kelvin Sheppard.
Despite the adversity, Zeke Turner took full advantage of his opportunity in Detroit and should be considered for a return next season. Turner, signed in November and promoted to the active roster in Week 10, appeared in nine games, recording 12 combined tackles and three quarterback hits. He became an essential rotational player on defense and contributed significantly on special teams, earning praise from Campbell and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp by season’s end.
Jack Campbell, in his second season, stood out despite some struggles in pass coverage. He allowed 35 completions on 45 targets for 436 yards, resulting in a 114.4 passer rating against him, according to Pro Football Reference. Still, he slightly reduced his missed tackles and doubled his pressures from the previous season, finishing with eight. His experience playing a larger role in the absence of Anzalone should help his development and readiness for an expanded role in 2025.
