The Detroit Lions have withstood several injuries to their defense over the first 12 weeks of the season, particularly at the linebacker position.

On Friday, another significant ailment hit the position. Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez suffered a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season, according to reports. Rodriguez becomes the fourth player at the position to suffer a significant injury.

Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes and Jalen Reeves-Maybin are all already on injured reserve, and Rodriguez will join them in the coming days. As a result, there will be more opportunities available for Trevor Nowaske, Ben Niemann, David Long Jr. and Ezekiel Turner.

Rodriguez had carved out a starting role dating back to the knee injury suffered by Derrick Barnes in Week 3. He became even more prevalent in the defense when Alex Anzalone suffered a broken forearm in the team’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11.

The Oklahoma State product showed little issue stepping up and filling the void left by the injuries, and had seven solo tackles against the Colts in Week 12.

“Well, that’s what I’ve been talking about each week in that linebacker room, and I continue to say that, that all those guys have played, all those guys deserve to play, and each week we try to put them in packages so they can play,” said defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn prior to the Colts game. “So, if one guy goes down in that room, listen, the next guy’s going to step up.”

Anzalone was initially given a timetable of six-to-eight weeks for his return, while Barnes is expected to be done for the season. As a result, the linebacking corps has been further decimated.

In 2024, Rodriguez had totaled 27 solo tackles, two sacks, a fumble recovery and two tackles for loss.

The Lions have had a by-committee approach for the position in recent weeks, as Nowaske, Niemann, Long and Turner have each played plenty of snaps along with Jack Campbell. The second-year Iowa product has assumed the role of defensive play-caller in the absence of Anzalone.

Detroit next takes the field on Thursday, Dec. 5 against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field.

This article was produced by the staff at Detroit Lions On SI. For more, visit si.com/nfl/lions

The Detroit Lions made it nine wins in a row Sunday with their 24-6 triumph over the Indianapolis Colts. It was a thorough effort, particularly by the defense which did not allow a touchdown for the second consecutive game.

While the offense sputtered at points in the second half, they ultimately made enough plays to win comfortably on the road once again. As a result, they remain in first place in the NFC North and are now 10-1 on the season.

Here are grades for each position group based on performance in Sunday’s game:

 

Quarterback: B

Jared Goff did not throw a touchdown pass in Sunday’s game for the first time since the team’s Week 2 loss against Tampa Bay. Still, he was very efficient in completing 72.2 percent of his passes for 269 yards. He didn’t have many downfield shot opportunities but found his reliable connections such as Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams on multiple occasions.

He wasn’t his sharpest self, such as when he missed an open Sam LaPorta on one of his longer attempts of the afternoon. He missed LaPorta twice, with the other coming near the goal line. Goff also nearly lost a fumble, but it was recovered by David Montgomery.

Goff also seems to be continuing to build a strong rapport with Tim Patrick, including a 27-yard completion to help set up their first touchdown.

Running backs: B

Jahmyr Gibbs was the feature back on Sunday, as he scored two touchdowns. His 4.7 yards per carry average is pedestrian by the standards he’s set this season, but he was more than effective on a season-best 21 carries. He showcased an ability to handle the load on a day that David Montgomery left early due to a shoulder injury.

Montgomery went for 37 yards on eight carries before exiting. He told reporters he expects to be ready for the team’s Thanksgiving game, but his status will be worth monitoring ahead of a short week. The veteran added a touchdown run to his tally, but was stuffed on a fourth-and-1 run in the third quarter.

With Montgomery sidelined, Craig Reynolds got a carry late in the game.

Wide receivers: A-

On an afternoon when the passing game wasn’t at its sharpest, there were still plenty of contributions to go around. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught all but one of his seven targets, while Jameson Williams led the team in receiving with 64 yards. St. Brown was kept out of the end zone for the first time since Week 2.

Patrick was consistent on Sunday, catching a season-best four passes for 55 yards. He also continues to show up as a blocker in Detroit’s run game. The Lions didn’t have many big plays in the passing game on Sunday, but the group still found ways to make big contributions.

Tight ends: B-

Sam LaPorta wasn’t his sharpest self on Sunday in his first game back from injury. He caught three passes for 19 yards, but seemed to be off-balance with Goff after missing last week’s game with a shoulder injury.

Brock Wright had two catches for 24 yards, including a 16-yard catch to open the fourth quarter. Shane Zylstra, meanwhile, did not have a target after being listed on the injury report with a neck injury throughout the week.

Offensive line: B+

The offensive line did allow three sacks in Sunday’s game, including a strip sack by rookie Laiatu Latu who beat Dan Skipper. The play occurred after Taylor Decker left with an injury, though Decker would return to the game on the next drive. Kevin Zeitler also surrendered a sack to DeForest Buckner earlier in the game.

They also got swarmed on the fourth-and-1 that resulted in a turnover on downs, as Montgomery was swallowed up in the backfield.

Still, the line had plenty of bright spots. Detroit converted multiple third downs on the ground, including a big run by Gibbs that helped set up a touchdown. When the Lions are running the ball in that fashion, they become all the more hard to stop.

Defensive line: A

After Anthony Richardson was able to make plays with his legs early in the game, Detroit’s defense settled in and vastly limited the impact the quarterback was able to have for the rest of the game. The line got plenty of pressure on him, as the likes of DJ Reader, Alim McNeill and Za’Darius Smith caused plenty of havoc.

McNeill was outstanding with four pressures, a tally that Smith matched. Reader added two quarterback hits and a tackle for loss, while Josh Paschal drew a holding penalty after maneuvering through two blockers. McNeill also logged a forced fumble when he got to Richardson.

Levi Onwuzurike also got in on the fun, nearly causing a safety with a pressure on which Richardson just barely got the ball away.

Linebackers: A-

Without Alex Anzalone, the Lions had a rotating cast of linebackers alongside mainstays Jack Campbell and Malcolm Rodriguez. Both players had eight tackles, with Rodriguez tallying seven solo stops in an effort that earned him a game ball from Dan Campbell.

Other players who saw action included Trevor Nowaske, Ben Niemann, Ezekiel Turner and newcomer David Long. Turner had two solo stops, while NIemann and Nowaske added one assisted stop apiece. Jack Campbell had two passes defensed in the first of a stretch of games where he will be looked to as the leader of the middle of the defense.

Secondary: B

The Lions’ depth was tested at the cornerback position, as Terrion Arnold was inactive for the first time this season. Kindle Vildor got the start and was targeted early and often. He dodged a bullet when Richardson missed Alec Pierce early, but he surrendered a third-down conversion to AD Mitchell and a deep completion to Alec Pierce on the Colts’ second scoring drive.

Vildor would wind up settling in and perform better in the second half. Carlton Davis dropped an interception in the second half, and wound up leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a knee injury that isn’t expected to be severe. Still, it could be cause for concern when it comes to Thursday’s game.

Niether Kerby Joseph or Brian Branch generated a takeaway, in fact it was Detroit’s first game without one this season. Still, both players made their presence felt with four tackles apiece.

Special teams: B

Jake Bates continued his perfect start to the season, nailing a 56-yarder to give him four consecutive makes from beyond 50 yards. With each game, the investment made by the Lions’ front office in him continues to look better.

Jack Fox also had an exceptional game, continously putting the defense in good field position and downing all four of his punts inside the opposing 20-yard line.

Detroit’s punt return unit may have taken a hit, as Dan Campbell offered a less-than-optimistic update on Kalif Raymond’s status after he left the game with a foot injury. Amon-Ra St. Brown took over punt return duties in Raymond’s absence.

Coaching: A-

Once again, the Detroit defense put on a masterclass showing. Thye were hit with big plays early, but did an outstanding job buckling down in the red zone and limiting the Colts to field goals on their two first half scoring possessions.

It was the second consecutive game that Detroit kept their opponent out of the end zone, giving the defense 10 straight quarters without giving up a touchdown. Coordinator Aaron Glenn deserves a ton of credit for the work he’s done without a number of injured starters.

Offensively, the Lions weren’t as explosive as they have been but still made plenty of plays. Ben Johnson trusted his group to convert third downs on the ground, and they did just that. As a result, Detroit marched to 10-1 in methodical fashion with a chance to snap their Thanksgiving losing streak up next.

This article was produced by the staff at Detroit Lions On SI. For more, visit si.com/nfl/lions

The Detroit Lions are firmly in the middle of the NFL trade rumor mill.

With the trade deadline just days away on Nov. 5, the Lions are viewed as a team that is in the market for a pass rusher after season-ending injuries to Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport.

Since the injury to Hutchinson in Week 6, the Lions’ pass rush has struggled severely, and the defensive line specifically has not recorded a sack in the last two games.

As a result, the Lions are expected to look for help on the trade market. Speaking on ESPN’s ‘Get Up’ Thursday, NFL insider Adam Schefter explained that he expects the Lions to add help. Two candidates, Cleveland’s Za’Darius Smith and the New York Giant’s Azeez Ojulari, are viewed as top options at this time.

“Yes, I do think you’re gonna see that. You saw Dan Campbell get all fired up, he looked like the cat who ate the canary,” Schefter said. “They don’t have a deal done yet, but there are a couple of pass rushers out there right now. Za’Darius Smith, Azeez Ojulari in New York. There are a couple of guys that make a lot of sense for the Lions. If you are this close and this good, why are you not willing to part with some mid-round pick to get in some type of reinforcement to hold down the fort until Aidan Hutchinson can make it back for the Super Bowl if you make it that far.”

ESPN had previously reported that the market for acquiring Smith from the Browns amongst teams is set at a fourth-round pick. The 32-year-old is having a solid season in Cleveland, with five sacks in the team’s first seven games.

“He is a hot name right now,” said ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “The Detroit Lions desparately need a pass rusher after injuries, they could be in the mix here. Teams I’ve talked to believe that the Browns want a really good day three pick for Smith, so a fourth-rounder or so would probably get it done. But I’m told the Browns are also open to keeping him, too.”

Smith has experience playing in the NFC North and has stated he would welcome a trade to the Lions, as it would give him the opportunity to play former teams Green Bay and Minnesota twice a year.

Ojulari, meanwhile, is in the final year of his rookie contract with the Giants. He has six sacks this season, including five in his last three games.

The Lions have been linked to a pair of marquee pass rushers in Las Vegas’ Maxx Crosby and Cleveland’s Myles Garrett. However, given their statuses with their respective teams as cornerstone players, they are not expected to be dealt.

“How many times do we have to tell you that the Raiders are not trading Maxx Crosby and the Browns are not trading Myles Garrett,” Schefter said. “They’re not trading these guys. Teams are not in the market to give away the heart and soul of their teams.”

This article was produced by the staff at Detroit Lions On SI. For more, visit si.com/nfl/lions