Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Dealing with undisclosed injury
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Rodriguez (undisclosed) was a non-participant at practice Thursday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Head coach Dan Campbell ruled out Rodriguez for practice Thursday after the linebacker left the team's open OTA last week with an unspecified injury. That being said, he is not believed to be dealing with anything serious and the Lions are likely just being cautious with his health.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Stuck next to Anzalone
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Rodriguez will continue to play alongside Alex Anzalone in 2023 and beyond, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.
This limits the upside of the rising IDP prospect for the foreseeable future. However, linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard believes that the on-field support that Anzalone -- a defensive captain -- provided Rodriguez in 2022 made it easier for the latter to post impressive stat lines in the first place. While Anzalone's presence in the middle of the defense will nonetheless make it hard for Rodriguez to register elite IDP production going forward, it's still possible that Rodriguez could push for triple-digit tackles in 2023 after logging 87 as a rookie.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Records 87 tackles as rookie
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Rodriguez totaled 87 tackles with one sack, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery over 16 games in 2023.
It was an up-and-down season for the 5-foot-11 rookie drafted in the sixth round, but the good far outweighed the bad for Rodriguez, who finished fifth among all rookies in total tackles. While his stock is already on the rise, Rodriguez could become a highly attractive IDP option ahead of the 2023 campaign should he take over the middle linebacker role from incumbent Alex Anzalone, who is set to hit free agency.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Logs full practice Wednesday
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Rodriguez (elbow) was listed as a full participant on the Lions' injury report Wednesday.
Rodriguez was limited with an elbow injury during each practice Week 10, leaving him sidelined for Sunday's win against the Bears. The rookie linebacker recorded 54 tackles, one sack, one pass defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery over the first eight games of the season, and he should reprise this starting role in Sunday's Week 11 contest versus the Giants.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Won't play Sunday
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Rodriquez (elbow) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against Chicago.
Rodriquez was a limited participant at each practice ahead of Week 10 due to an elbow injury and will miss his first game of the season. In his absence, Derrick Barnes and Jarrad Davis are candidates for increased roles.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Packs stat sheet in loss
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Rodriguez recorded seven tackles (five solo), a sack, one pass defended and one fumble recovery in Sunday's 31-27 loss to the Dolphins.
Rodriguez tallied the first sack of his career as he brought down Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for an eight-yard loss in the first quarter. The rookie linebacker then recovered his first fumble of the season to end Miami's opening drive of the game. Rodriguez has now tallied 50 tackles (38 solo) over seven games, and he should continue to put up prolific stat lines while playing a prominent role in Detroit's front seven.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Eight tackles in Week 3
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Rodriguez collected eight tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's 28-24 loss to the Vikings.
The rookie linebacker continues to make plays across the field, as he recorded eight tackles while playing 76 percent of the team's defensive snaps in Week 3. Rodriguez hopes to continue his impressive efforts when the Lions host Seattle on Sunday.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Motown linebacker
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The Lions selected Rodriguez in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 188th overall.
Rodriguez is undersized for an NFL linebacker (5-foot-11, 232 pounds) and isn't super fast for his smaller frame (4.52 40-yard dash), but he was a major factor as a four-year starter for Oklahoma State, particularly as a tackler. Expect the 23-year-old to begin his career as a solid special teams player as he continues to add more girth to his frame.
