Key Lions defender out long term with a broken forearm

The Lions enjoyed a blowout victory on Sunday, but the team’s defense did suffer a notable injury along the way. Linebacker Alex Anzalone is dealing with a broken forearm.

As a result of the injury, head coach Dan Campbell pointed to an absence of six to eight weeks (h/t ESPN’s Eric Woodyard). Anzalone’s presence will certainly be missed by the NFC’s top seed, although that recovery timeline could still allow him to return to action in time for the playoffs. In the meantime, Detroit will be notably shorthanded at the second level.

Anzalone has remained a full-time starter in 2024, his fourth Lions season. The 30-year-old topped 1,000 defensive snaps during each of the past two campaigns, and he exceeded 100 tackles both times while totaling 4.5 sacks. This year, he has amassed 56 stops (including seven tackles for loss) to go along with four pass deflections. Replacing that production over the next several weeks will be challenging for Detroit.

Derrick Barnes resides on injured reserve, and it remains to be seen if he will be able to return at any point in 2024. Anzalone’s continued high-level play has helped compensate for Barnes’ absence, but being without both for the foreseeable future could prove to be difficult. 

The Lions — who improved to 9-1 on the year with their 46-point win over the Jaguars — still have 2023 first-rounder Jack Campbell in place as a first-team option. Jalen Reeves-Maybin was recently moved to IR, which leaves Malcolm Rodriguez as a candidate for increased usage moving forward.

Anzalone re-signed with the Lions on a three-year, $18.75M deal this offseason. That pact underscores his importance to Detroit’s defense (a unit which ranked eighth in scoring entering Sunday’s action) for this season and beyond. 

The Lions’ eight-game winning streak has not resulted in much breathing space atop the NFC North, and wins by the Vikings and Packers on Sunday will keep the pressure on to remain in pole position. With plenty still at stake down the stretch, Detroit will need at least a temporary contingency plan at the linebacker spot.