The Detroit Lions have had their share of bad injury luck on the defensive side of the ball over the last two years. This year, it has mostly been their secondary that has been decimated. Their linebacker rotation, on the other hand, has stayed impressively healthy. Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, and Derrick Barnes have not missed a game all year, the first two essentially playing every defensive snap. It's not like they need it, but the Lions are getting a major reinforcement back for the final stretch of the season.
Malcolm Rodriguez was taken off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list earlier in the week and is now trending towards making his season debut on Sunday. In the Lions' final injury report ahead of Week 12, Rodriguez didn't have an injury designation after being a full participant the past few days.
Malcolm Rodriguez Will Make His Season Debut on Sunday
The Lions have a short turnaround after Sunday's clash with the New York Giants before the big clash against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving. Rodriguez's return couldn't have come at a better time as they enter a crucial stretch of home games that may require more depth. Plus, for any player coming back from an injury, it's much more preferable to go up against the Giants than in a must-win game against the Packers.
It will be almost exactly one year since Rodriguez suited up for the Lions. Rodriguez suffered a torn ACL on Thanksgiving last season and has been out ever since. Before ending his season early, he was in the midst of his most productive campaign, recording 43 tackles, two sacks, two quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, and an impressive 74.4 defensive grade on Pro Football Focus. When the Lions were decimated by injuries all over their defensive unit, Rodriguez lined up all over the field, head coach Dan Campbell praising his versatility.
Rodriguez will once again be a valuable backup for the Lions as he can play strong-side or weak-side linebacker and perform admirably. Perhaps even more so than the Lions, it will be a crucial final stretch of the season for the fourth-year defender. Rodriguez is in the final year of his contract, and he could earn himself a new deal, whether it's in Detroit or elsewhere. With Anzalone also on an expiring contract, Rodriguez could see the last seven games of the season as an audition to take the veteran's place.
For that to happen, Rodriguez needs to stay healthy and contribute to the Lions. There won't be a better opportunity to prove that than the Giants matchup on Sunday.