Lions' Alex Anzalone: Leads team in tackles in return
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Anzalone recorded seven total tackles (three solo) and a pass defensed in Sunday night's 31-9 win over the Vikings.
Anzalone was rather active in his return to the field following a six-game absence with a broken forearm, leading the team with seven takedowns in the contest. The linebacker finished the regular season having produced 63 total tackles (43 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding five passes defensed over 10 games. With the victory in Week 18, the Lions secured a bye week to open the playoffs, and Anzalone will look to build off of Sunday's performance when Detroit returns to action in the NFC divisional round in two weeks.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Upgrades to full practice
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Anzalone (forearm) practiced in full Thursday.
Anzalone remains on injured reserve but appears to be nearing a return after he was designated for return Wednesday. The Lions badly need the help on defense with the team already down linebackers Derrick Barnes (knee) and Malcolm Rodriguez (knee) ahead of Sunday night's big game against Minnesota.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Could return for Week 18
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Anzalone (forearm) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday.
Anzalone was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's practice estimation, and Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that there's a realistic chance for the 30-year-old to make his return in the Lions' Week 18 matchup against the Vikings, a game that will decide the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Anzalone's practice participation Thursday and Friday will likely offer the best insight into whether he can suit up Sunday. He would be a significant addition to a Detroit linebacker corps already without Derrick Barnes (knee) and Malcolm Rodriguez (knee).
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Shifts to IR
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The Lions placed Anzalone (forearm) on injured reserve Monday.
Anzalone played 20 defensive snaps and recorded five total tackles before breaking his forearm in Sunday's blowout win over the Jaguars. This injury is expected to sideline the 30-year-old for 6-to-8 weeks, so his shift to IR comes as no surprise. Anzalone will be now be forced to miss at least the Lions' next four games, with his earliest possible return coming in the Week 16 matchup against the Bears. Expect Jack Campbell to see increased work with the Lions' first-team defense until Anzalone can return.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Hurts forearm, uncertain to return
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Anzalone suffered a forearm injury in Sunday's Week 11 game against Jacksonville and is questionable to return.
Anzalone was hurt while assisting on a tackle of Travis Etienne late in the second quarter. The linebacker exited to the locker room and was deemed questionable to return soon thereafter. Ben Niemann could be called upon for a significant role if Anzalone is unable to return.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Secures eight tackles in win
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Anzalone recorded eight total tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's 31-29 win over the Vikings.
Anzalone paced the team in tackles in the victory, producing at least seven stops for the third time in five games this season. The linebacker has now compiled 35 total tackles (25 solo) and three passes defensed while operating as Detroit's primary middle linebacker in 2024.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Clears concussion protocols
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Anzalone (concussion) was removed from the Lions' injury report Friday, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
Anzalone was a full participant for a second practice in a row Friday, clearing concussion protocols as a result. The linebacker is all set to return to the field after missing Detroit's 20-13 win over the Cardinals in Week 3.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Practices in full Thursday
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Anzalone (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Anzalone was unable to suit up Week 3 against the Cardinals after sustaining a concussion in Week 2 against the Buccaneers. His full participation in Thursday's practice indicates Anzalone is trending towards returning for Monday's game against the Seahawks. Anzalone has registered 17 tackles (13 solo) through two regular-season games.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Won't suit up vs. Arizona
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Anzalone (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Anzalone has been in the league's concussion protocols since the Lions' Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers. He was a limited participant in practice Thursday and Friday, but he hasn't progressed through protocols enough for him to play Sunday and will shift his focus towards being available for Week 4 against the Seahawks on Sept. 30. Malcolm Rodriguez, who saw increased work after Anzalone was injured in Week 2, will start at middle linebacker Sunday alongside Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Deemed questionable for Week 3
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Anzalone (concussion) is officially questionable to face the Cardinals on Sunday.
Anzalone suffered a concussion Week 2 versus Tampa Bay and hasn't yet cleared the league's concussion protocol. The linebacker did manage to participate in practice in a limited fashion both Thursday and Friday, so there's still a chance he could suit up Sunday. If Anzalone is unable to play, however, Malcolm Rodriguez likely will work as a starter in his stead.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Downgraded to out
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Anzalone (head) has been downgraded to out Sunday after being evaluated for a concussion.
The middle linebacker made four tackles (three solo) before leaving the contest. Anzalone led Detroit with 13 stops (10 solo) in the team's Week 1 overtime win over Los Angeles. Malcolm Rodriguez is the next man up at middle linebacker.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Remains limited Thursday
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Anzalone (shoulder/ribs) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Anzalone has now began the Lions' week of practice with two consecutive limited sessions (Wednesday was a walkthrough) as he continues to battle three fractured ribs and a sprained AC joint in his shoulder. The 29-year-old linebacker will likely carry an injury designation into the NFC Championship Game unless he can practice in full Friday.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Playing through injuries
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Anzalone played through a sprained AC joint in his shoulder and three fractured ribs during Sunday's divisional-round win over the Buccaneers, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Anzalone actually suffered the rib injury during Detroit's Week 18 win over the Vikings and has been playing through it for each of the team's playoff wins this season. The veteran linebacker will likely appear on the team's injury report throughout the week, but considering he's managed to play through the pain, it's unlikely he would stop now. Anzalone should suit up against the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game this Sunday.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Doubtful for Sunday
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Anzalone (hand) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Saints, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
The veteran linebacker was unable to practice all week, so it's no surprise that he'll likely be inactive for Sunday's contest. Anzalone has been extremely productive through Detroit's first 11 games, as he's recorded 87 total tackles, including five tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. Assuming Anzalone can't suit up this weekend, Malcolm Rodriguez will likely serve as the Lions' top middle linebacker.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Sits out with hand injury
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Anzalone (hand) was a non-participant during practice Wednesday.
Anzalone likely suffered the injury in the Lions' Thanksgiving Day loss to the Packers, though it's not clear that is the case. The veteran linebacker will work to get back on the field Thursday ahead of the team's Week 13 matchup with the Saints.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Nine tackles in win
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Anzalone tallied nine tackles (four solo) and one pass deflected in the Lions' Week 10 victory over the Chargers.
Anzalone was on the field for all of the Lions' 68 defensive snaps and even one on special teams. The linebacker's nine tackles were tied for his second highest total of the season. He will attempt to stay productive in Week 11 when Detroit hosts the Bears.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Gets two sacks in win
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Anzalone had seven tackles (five solo) including two sacks in Monday's 26-14 win over the Raiders.
Anzalone's two sacks came on the same drive in the fourth quarter, with the second forcing a turnover on downs. Anzalone's place as the starting middle linebacker has provided an anchor for the Lions' defense, and he leads the team with 57 tackles on the year. He once again played every single defensive snap Monday and has done so in each of the last three games.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Posts 11 tackles in win
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Anzalone logged 11 tackles (eight solo) in Sunday's 42-24 win against the Panthers.
Anzalone led the team in solo and total tackles as he helped Detroit notch its fourth win in five games. Eleven tackles are also the most Anzalone has recorded in a game so far this year, and he will look to continue his strong production next week versus Tampa Bay.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Six tackles in Week 1
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Anzalone had six tackles (five solo), a pass defensed and a quarterback hit in Thursday's 21-20 win over Kansas City.
Anzalone tied with Derrick Barnes for the team lead in tackles as the Lions upset the defending champs, who were playing without Travis Kelce (knee). The 28-year-old linebacker set career highs in tackles in each of his previous two seasons with the Lions, racking up 78 in 2021 and then blowing past that mark with 125 in 2022.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Agrees to extension
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The Lions re-signed Anzalone to a three-year, $18.75 million contract Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
After racking up a career-high 125 tackles this past season, Anzalone has seemingly earned himself a few more years as Detroit's starting middle linebacker following Monday's signing. The 28-year-old was also made available for all 17 games in 2023.
