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Lions Get Major Alex Anzalone Injury Update in Week 18

By Richard Louis

Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) walks on the field after his teams win against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) walks on the field after his teams win against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
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The Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings are squaring off in a big-time NFC North showdown on Sunday Night Football. Both teams are 14-2, and the winner locks down the No. 1 seed and earns the first-round bye.

These teams linked up in Week 7, where Detroit topped Minnesota 31-29. While that victory came in October, the Lions have had multiple injuries since then. Countless contributors have landed on IR, including linebacker Alex Anzalone.

Anzalone suffered a broken forearm in Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and had to be sidelined for the next couple of weeks. The Lions were able to weather the storm but NFL Insider Ian Rapoport gave an encouraging update on Anzalone.

Lions News: Alex Anzalone May Return to the Field on SNF

Rapoport revealed that he wouldn't be surprised to see Anzalone take the field on Sunday. The 30-year-old was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice and a full participant on Thursday. Rapoport added that if all things go well on Friday, he wouldn't shocked to see Anzalone play against the Vikings with a special padding on his forearm.

Getting the Florida product back on the field would be huge for the Lions. In nine games this season, he's logged 56 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, four pass deflections, and one sack. According to PFF, he had a 66.8 overall grade and a 72.2 coverage grade.

Anzalone added that he likely won't be 100% until the offseason, but that won't stop him from playing. He's already missed six games this year and is itching to return to the field.

Anzalone told reporters on Thursday that he has a metal plate in his forearm. He practiced with a carbon-fiber cast on his arm and will have that on when he steps on the field.

Head coach Dan Campbell initially said that the 2017 third-round pick would miss six to eight weeks and Sunday will mark six weeks since he underwent surgery.

If he does play, the Lions will give him limited snaps to ease him back in but his presence could go a long way in the most pivotal game of the season.

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