Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Placed on injured reserve
Rotowire
The Lions placed Rodriguez (knee) on injured reserve Saturday.
As expected, Rodriguez will finish the 2024 season on injured reserve after he tore his ACL during the Lions' win over the Bears on Thursday. Ezekiel Turner, Kwon Alexander and Ben Niemann are all candidates to start at linebacker alongside Trevor Nowaske and Jack Campbell due to Rodriguez's injury.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Tears ACL, out for season
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Rodriguez had an MRI that revealed a torn ACL in his knee, and his season is over, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, Rodriguez will have surgery to repair the ACL when his swelling subsides. The third-year pro ends his season with 43 tackles (27 solo), including 2.0 sacks, and a defensed pass. Ezekiel Turner could move into a starting role in Rodriguez's stead, though that responsibility may go to Kwon Alexander, who Detroit signed off Denver's practice squad Friday.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Injures knee Thursday
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Rodriguez suffered a knee injury during Sunday's game against the Bears.
Rodriguez remained down on the field in the fourth quarter while holding his right knee but was able to make it to the sideline under his own power. If he's unable to return, he'll finish Week 13 with five tackles and one pass defense.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Leads team in tackles
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Rodriguez tallied eight tackles (seven solo) Sunday in Detroit's win over the Colts.
Rodriguez saw increased playing time Sunday with both Alex Anzalone (forearm) and Derrick Barnes (knee) on injured reserve, and he ended up having his most productive game of the campaign. Rodriguez's eight tackles not only led the team, but they also served as a new season high for the 25-year-old. He will likely continue to serve as the team's starting linebacker while Anzalone and Barnes remain sidelined.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Limited to open week
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Rodriguez (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Rodriguez has been sidelined for the Lions' last two regular-season games after spraining his ankle in Week 8 against the Titans. Wednesday marked the first time he has been able to practice since the injury, and he'll have two more chances to increase his participation ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Won't face Houston
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Rodriguez (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Texans.
Rodriguez will miss his second straight game, allowing Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell to handle the bulk of the linebacker snaps for Detroit. Rodriguez's absence will mainly be felt on special teams.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Doesn't practice Thursday
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Rodriguez (ankle) did not practice Thursday.
Rodriguez injured his ankle during the Lions' Week 8 win over the Titans, but he was able to avoid a high-ankle sprain. Given it's an aggravated injury and he's logged consecutive DNPs this week, Rodriguez is unlikely to play against the Packers on Sunday. Should Rodriguez be sidelined, Trevor Nowaske would have the inside track on Ben Niemann to start at outside linebacker alongside Jack Campbell and Alex Anzalone.
Rodriguez aggravated a previous ankle injury in Sunday's 52-14 win over the Titans and is expected to miss the Lions' Week 9 matchup against the Packers, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Shultz's report Monday suggests that Rodriguez avoided what was thought to be a serious ankle injury; however, the Oklahoma State product will still likely be sidelined for Detroit's Week 9 contest. Rodriguez has recorded 26 total tackles, including 2.0 sacks, across the Lions' first seven games this season. Schultz also reported that Rodriguez is expected to return in Week 10, so either Ben Niemann or Jalen Reeves-Maybin is anticipated to start in his place Sunday.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Good to go
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Rodriguez (ankle) is active for Monday's game against the Raiders.
Rodriguez injured his ankle in last week's loss to the Ravens and subsequently landed a questionable designation for Monday's game. Barring any setbacks, he looks ready to take on his usual workload.
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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: 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: 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.
