2024 Lions Recap: Injuries to Anzalone, Barnes Test Depth<\/p>\n
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football<\/p>\n
Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur, standing in disbelief, reacts as Detroit Lions linebacker Ezekiel Turner makes a crucial stop during the first half on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Ford Field. The Detroit Lions defeated the Green Bay Packers 34-31.<\/p>\n
The Detroit Lions closed out a strong season in disappointing fashion, but the focus now shifts forward. Over the next two weeks, MLive will assess each position group. Today: Linebackers. Previously: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers\/Tight Ends | Offensive Line | Defensive Line\/EDGE.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
LINEBACKERS<\/p>\n
Starters (end of season): Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Trevor Nowaske<\/p>\n
Backups: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Ben Niemann, Trevor Nowaske, David Long Jr., Mitchell Agude, Anthony Pittman, Zeke Turner, Kwon Alexander<\/p>\n
Injured: Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes<\/p>\n
Key stats: Jack Campbell played every game, leading the team with 131 total tackles. As his defensive role expanded, his special teams snaps dropped by 90, while his defensive snaps increased by 335.<\/p>\n
Alex Anzalone missed seven games due to injury and illness, including six with a broken forearm, yet still ranked second with seven tackles for loss.<\/p>\n
Despite injuries and roster changes, the Lions remained in the top five for run defense, allowing 98.4 rushing yards per game. Linebackers coach and now defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard did a commendable job managing the group.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Kory\u2019s Grade: C<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Breakdown<\/p>\n
Entering the season, the Lions\u2019 linebacker group appeared deep, with quality backups available in case of injuries.<\/p>\n
But what happens when two key starters miss significant time and multiple backups are also sidelined? Jack Campbell became the lone constant, playing all 17 games alongside a revolving door of replacements.<\/p>\n
Derrick Barnes, who was coming off a strong third year, suffered a season-ending knee injury after just three games. His ability to cover, rush the passer, and occasionally play on the edge was a crucial loss for the defense. With Barnes out, Malcolm Rodriguez stepped up.<\/p>\n
Rodriguez, a 15-game starter as a rookie in 2022, began this season as the fourth linebacker. His role expanded when another starter went down. The Lions adopted a linebacker-by-committee approach, but injuries piled up. Rodriguez himself suffered a torn ACL in Week 13 against the Chicago Bears.<\/p>\n
Alex Anzalone, the team\u2019s top tackler from last season and their best coverage linebacker, was having a strong year. By Week 11 against Jacksonville, he had 51 tackles, six for loss, four quarterback hits, four passes defended, and one sack.<\/p>\n
However, during Detroit\u2019s dominant 52-6 victory over the Jaguars, Anzalone broke his forearm, sidelining him for six games. He returned in Week 18 against Minnesota, recording seven tackles, a quarterback hit, and a pass defended, helping the Lions clinch their second consecutive NFC North title and the conference\u2019s top seed.<\/p>\n
Adding to the challenges, Jalen Reeves-Maybin missed seven games with an upper-body injury. His absence was felt not just on special teams\u2014where he earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors last season\u2014but also as a key backup linebacker.<\/p>\n
With injuries depleting the unit, the Lions had to bring in reinforcements. They signed David Long Jr. and Zeke Turner, while also bringing back Anthony Pittman and adding Kwon Alexander from practice squads.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking back at this, you ask yourself, \u2018Can we ever have enough defensive depth? Is that even possible?\u2019\u201d head coach Dan Campbell reflected after the playoff loss to Washington.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had depth\u2014we were loaded\u2014but you never expect to lose so many first- and second-string guys across different position groups. You only get 53 roster spots. We\u2019ll evaluate everything, but this was one of those bizarre, unlucky years.\u201d<\/p>\n
With so many injuries, it\u2019s tough to fairly assess the linebacker group. The constant shuffling forced then-defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and position coach Kelvin Sheppard into an ever-changing lineup.<\/p>\n
Still, Zeke Turner made the most of his opportunity and could be a candidate to return next season.<\/p>\n
Signed on Nov. 6 and promoted ahead of Week 10, Turner played nine games, tallying 12 tackles and three quarterback hits. He became a key rotational piece on defense and a key special teams contributor with 176 snaps. His efforts earned praise from Dan Campbell and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp late in the season.<\/p>\n
Through it all, Jack Campbell stood strong. His pass coverage remains a work in progress\u2014allowing 35 completions on 45 targets for 436 yards, with opposing quarterbacks posting a 114.4 passer rating against him.<\/p>\n
However, he slightly reduced his missed tackles and doubled his pass-rushing pressures from last season, finishing with eight. His experience playing an elevated role for six games without Anzalone should be invaluable for his development heading into 2025.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
2024 Lions Recap: Injuries to Anzalone, Barnes Test Depth Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur, standing in disbelief, reacts as Detroit Lions linebacker Ezekiel Turner makes a crucial stop during the first half on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Ford Field. The Detroit Lions defeated […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23295,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[378],"tags":[2603],"class_list":["post-23294","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-detroit-lions","tag-ezekiel-turner"],"yoast_head":"\n