With the Detroit Lions in a tight playoff race, they’ll need all hands on deck over the final seven games. If anything is encouraging about the Lions’ current 6-4 record, it’s that they are in a reverse situation from where they were a year ago. Instead of players dropping like flies, they’re about to get reinforcements.
The Lions have already seen it start to take place as Alim McNeill returned from a torn ACL, and DJ Reed is expected to return soon from a hamstring injury. But the Lions could cross another name off the injured list as they activated Malcolm Rodriguez from the physically unable to perform list, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Lions’ Defense Gets Another Boost with Malcolm Rodriguez’s Return
Rodriguez is the latest Lions defender to return from injury as Detroit has weathered an early-season storm. The Lions were already without McNeill going into the season, but injuries to pass rusher Marcus Davenport, safety Kerby Joseph, and cornerbacks Reed and Terrion Arnold have made their 6-4 start a little more difficult.
Even with the injuries, the Lions have thrived under first-year defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, ranking tied for 10th with 21.6 points allowed per game and sixth with 4.9 yards allowed per play. While each injury should make that group stronger, Rodriguez’s return gives the Lions the type of depth they didn’t have one year ago.
A sixth-round pick out of Oklahoma State, Rodriguez was a starter in his rookie season before sliding into a reserve role with the addition of Jack Campbell. Forced into action when Derrick Barnes suffered a season-ending MCL and PCL tear in his right knee, Rodriguez racked up 43 total tackles with two for loss, two sacks, and a fumble recovery in 10 games before tearing his ACL during a Thanksgiving win over the Chicago Bears.
With Rodriguez also earning a 62.6 grade on 140 special teams snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, his return could impact the Lions in more ways than one. It’s something that they should be happy about, beginning with Sunday’s game against the New York Giants and potentially be thrilled about as they look to gain ground in the NFC playoff picture.