Detroit Lions’ linebacker Jack Campbell is the embodiment of what Dan Campbell wants from his football team: a tough, hard-nosed football player who battles until the very end. In their 38-30 Monday night win against the Baltimore Ravens, Campbell suffered a mouth laceration as he took an accidental cleat to the face from teammate Brian Branch.
Despite the injury, Campbell played all 57 snaps, recording eight total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and a crucial fourth-down stop late in the second quarter. After Wednesday’s practice, Campbell gave reporters a hilarious response to his recovery from receiving stitches, saying “I’m not going to be able to live that down with my brothers”, per ESPN’s Eric Woodyard.
Although Campbell may feel ashamed to have seen a plastic surgeon for the injury, he should feel proud knowing that few players would continue to play while bleeding.
Lions LB Jack Campbell Feels Embarrassed After Injury
Since the Lions drafted Campbell in the first round of the 2023 draft, he’s become a crucial part of their defense. In his first two seasons, Campbell has played in every game, recording a combined 226 tackles, leading the Lions in tackles in 2024 with 131, 10 tackles for loss, three and a half sacks, six pass deflections, and one fumble.
His stellar play has continued this season, as he remains the team’s leading tackler through three games with 26 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one tackle for loss. Campbell’s performance against the run this season has been great, recording six stops, receiving a 90.3 run defense grade, which ranks sixth among linebackers per PFF, and a 74 overall grade.
While the injury was scary to see for Lions fans, it shouldn’t hinder him, and he should be good to go. He was a full participant in the team’s practice on Wednesday, and although his status for Sunday’s game is questionable, they listed his injury as an ankle injury instead of his mouth laceration.
Despite his success, the Lions' defense has regressed since the departure of coordinator Aaron Glenn, as the team ranks 22nd against the run (99), 15th against the pass (208.7), and is tied 13th in takeaways (3).
Although they’ve started slow, there are reasons to believe the defense will improve soon after their performance on Monday night, sacking Lamar Jackson six times, which ties them for the second-most sacks (11). Campbell and the Lions hope this continues Sunday afternoon with a favorable matchup against the 1-2 Cleveland Browns.