The Detroit Lions' offseason is moving at light speed as July enters its final days. Head coach Dan Campbell's staff kicked off this year's training camp in Allen Park, MI, last week, and it won't be long before the Lions get their first taste of preseason action when they face the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, July 31.
In other words, the 2025 NFL regular season will be here before Lions fans know it, leaving time to tell if they have what it takes to improve on last year's performance. Whether or not they hit the ground running in September remains to be seen; however, whatever success the Lions have in the campaign's first month will come with one of their veteran defenders on the sidelines.
Lions LB Malcolm Rodriguez to Miss 1st Month of 2025 NFL Season
Lions fans have been hoping to hear good news on Malcolm Rodriguez throughout the 2025 offseason. The 26-year-old linebacker tore his ACL against the rival Chicago Bears at the end of November and was just placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list last week, leaving his outlook for the next season up in the air.
Well, it turns out it'll be quite some time before Detroit fans see Rodriguez back on the gridiron.
According to Detroit News' Nolan Bianchi, HC Campbell revealed on Tuesday that Rodriguez likely won't be back in the Lions' lineup until October, effectively ruling him out of the 2025 campaign's first month.
October return for Rodriguez** apologies
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) July 22, 2025
Rodriguez has been an integral part of the Lions' defense since being drafted 188th overall in 2022. The former Oklahoma State standout has played 43 games (24 starts) across the last three seasons, racking up 102 solo tackles, 3.0 sacks, a trio of defended passes, two forced fumbles, and a pair of fumble recoveries along the way.
Rodriguez was also one of the Lions' most productive defenders before he got hurt last season. The Tahlequah, OK native had played to career-best Pro Football Focus grades regarding coverage (65.4), tackling (76.7), run stoppage (87.1), and overall defense (74.4). A versatile defender like him won't be easy to replace, even if he's back by October.
Whenever he returns, it'll be crucial for Rodriguez to pick up from where he left off.
The 2025 season will mark the last year on his rookie contract, meaning he must prove his worth if he wants to be paid, whether that's by the Lions or another team in free agency. In fact, Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes are the only Lions linebackers signed beyond 2025, meaning there could be a lot of competition among LBs as they fight for new contracts.
In the meantime, Detroit fans wish Rodriguez nothing but the quickest recovery, hoping to see him back terrorizing opposing offensive players sooner rather than later.