Lions' Alex Anzalone: Logs four stops in Week 7 victory
Rotowire
Anzalone totaled four tackles (three solo) Sunday in a 24-9 win against the Buccaneers.
Anzalone was quiet from a statistical perspective after racking up a season-high 12 stops in Week 6. However, he logged 100 percent of Detroit's defensive snaps for the sixth time through seven games this year. Anzalone has 39 tackles, including 1.5 sacks, and four defensed passes (including an interception) on the campaign.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Racks up 12 stops Sunday
Rotowire
Anzalone tallied 12 tackles (seven solo) in a Week 6 loss to Kansas City on Sunday.
Anzalone finished as Detroit's leading tackler in the contest. He not only posted a season-high figure in stops, he doubled his previous top mark. Through six weeks, Anzalone has 35 tackles (including 1.5 sacks) and four defensed passes, including an interception.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Nabs a pick in win
Rotowire
Anzalone recorded three tackles (two solo) and three passes defensed including an interception during Sunday's 37-24 win at Cincinnati.
Anzalone's three tackles marked his lowest total of the season, but he made his day memorable anyway when he undercut a Jake Browning pass intended for Mike Gesicki to post his first interception since 2022. He should again stay on the field for every defensive snap he can handle in Week 6 at Kansas City.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Secures sack in Week 4
Rotowire
Anzalone recorded six total tackles (four solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding a pass defensed in Sunday's 34-10 win over the Browns.
Anzalone finished tied for second on the team in takedowns, while also getting to quarterback Joe Flacco in the third quarter. The linebacker has now compiled 20 total tackles (10 solo), including 1.5 sacks, and a pass defensed over four games this season.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Returns to field
Rotowire
Anzalone (hamstring) returned to practice Saturday, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.
In addition to his hamstring injury, Anzalone wants a contract extension as he heads into the final season of his three-year, $18.75 million contract. The 30-year-old linebacker looks ready to play regardless, and he's set to start at outside linebacker in 2025. Last season, Anzalone posted 63 tackles (43 solo), five pass breakups and 1.0 sacks over 10 regular-season games.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Upgrades to full practice
Rotowire
Anzalone (forearm) practiced in full Thursday.
Anzalone remains on injured reserve but appears to be nearing a return after he was designated for return Wednesday. The Lions badly need the help on defense with the team already down linebackers Derrick Barnes (knee) and Malcolm Rodriguez (knee) ahead of Sunday night's big game against Minnesota.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Shifts to IR
Rotowire
The Lions placed Anzalone (forearm) on injured reserve Monday.
Anzalone played 20 defensive snaps and recorded five total tackles before breaking his forearm in Sunday's blowout win over the Jaguars. This injury is expected to sideline the 30-year-old for 6-to-8 weeks, so his shift to IR comes as no surprise. Anzalone will be now be forced to miss at least the Lions' next four games, with his earliest possible return coming in the Week 16 matchup against the Bears. Expect Jack Campbell to see increased work with the Lions' first-team defense until Anzalone can return.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Hurts forearm, uncertain to return
Rotowire
Anzalone suffered a forearm injury in Sunday's Week 11 game against Jacksonville and is questionable to return.
Anzalone was hurt while assisting on a tackle of Travis Etienne late in the second quarter. The linebacker exited to the locker room and was deemed questionable to return soon thereafter. Ben Niemann could be called upon for a significant role if Anzalone is unable to return.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Secures eight tackles in win
Rotowire
Anzalone recorded eight total tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's 31-29 win over the Vikings.
Anzalone paced the team in tackles in the victory, producing at least seven stops for the third time in five games this season. The linebacker has now compiled 35 total tackles (25 solo) and three passes defensed while operating as Detroit's primary middle linebacker in 2024.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Clears concussion protocols
Rotowire
Anzalone (concussion) was removed from the Lions' injury report Friday, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
Anzalone was a full participant for a second practice in a row Friday, clearing concussion protocols as a result. The linebacker is all set to return to the field after missing Detroit's 20-13 win over the Cardinals in Week 3.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Practices in full Thursday
Rotowire
Anzalone (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Anzalone was unable to suit up Week 3 against the Cardinals after sustaining a concussion in Week 2 against the Buccaneers. His full participation in Thursday's practice indicates Anzalone is trending towards returning for Monday's game against the Seahawks. Anzalone has registered 17 tackles (13 solo) through two regular-season games.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Won't suit up vs. Arizona
Rotowire
Anzalone (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Anzalone has been in the league's concussion protocols since the Lions' Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers. He was a limited participant in practice Thursday and Friday, but he hasn't progressed through protocols enough for him to play Sunday and will shift his focus towards being available for Week 4 against the Seahawks on Sept. 30. Malcolm Rodriguez, who saw increased work after Anzalone was injured in Week 2, will start at middle linebacker Sunday alongside Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Deemed questionable for Week 3
Rotowire
Anzalone (concussion) is officially questionable to face the Cardinals on Sunday.
Anzalone suffered a concussion Week 2 versus Tampa Bay and hasn't yet cleared the league's concussion protocol. The linebacker did manage to participate in practice in a limited fashion both Thursday and Friday, so there's still a chance he could suit up Sunday. If Anzalone is unable to play, however, Malcolm Rodriguez likely will work as a starter in his stead.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Downgraded to out
Rotowire
Anzalone (head) has been downgraded to out Sunday after being evaluated for a concussion.
The middle linebacker made four tackles (three solo) before leaving the contest. Anzalone led Detroit with 13 stops (10 solo) in the team's Week 1 overtime win over Los Angeles. Malcolm Rodriguez is the next man up at middle linebacker.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Remains limited Thursday
Rotowire
Anzalone (shoulder/ribs) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Anzalone has now began the Lions' week of practice with two consecutive limited sessions (Wednesday was a walkthrough) as he continues to battle three fractured ribs and a sprained AC joint in his shoulder. The 29-year-old linebacker will likely carry an injury designation into the NFC Championship Game unless he can practice in full Friday.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Playing through injuries
Rotowire
Anzalone played through a sprained AC joint in his shoulder and three fractured ribs during Sunday's divisional-round win over the Buccaneers, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Anzalone actually suffered the rib injury during Detroit's Week 18 win over the Vikings and has been playing through it for each of the team's playoff wins this season. The veteran linebacker will likely appear on the team's injury report throughout the week, but considering he's managed to play through the pain, it's unlikely he would stop now. Anzalone should suit up against the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game this Sunday.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Doubtful for Sunday
Rotowire
Anzalone (hand) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Saints, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
The veteran linebacker was unable to practice all week, so it's no surprise that he'll likely be inactive for Sunday's contest. Anzalone has been extremely productive through Detroit's first 11 games, as he's recorded 87 total tackles, including five tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. Assuming Anzalone can't suit up this weekend, Malcolm Rodriguez will likely serve as the Lions' top middle linebacker.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Sits out with hand injury
Rotowire
Anzalone (hand) was a non-participant during practice Wednesday.
Anzalone likely suffered the injury in the Lions' Thanksgiving Day loss to the Packers, though it's not clear that is the case. The veteran linebacker will work to get back on the field Thursday ahead of the team's Week 13 matchup with the Saints.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Nine tackles in win
Rotowire
Anzalone tallied nine tackles (four solo) and one pass deflected in the Lions' Week 10 victory over the Chargers.
Anzalone was on the field for all of the Lions' 68 defensive snaps and even one on special teams. The linebacker's nine tackles were tied for his second highest total of the season. He will attempt to stay productive in Week 11 when Detroit hosts the Bears.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Gets two sacks in win
Rotowire
Anzalone had seven tackles (five solo) including two sacks in Monday's 26-14 win over the Raiders.
Anzalone's two sacks came on the same drive in the fourth quarter, with the second forcing a turnover on downs. Anzalone's place as the starting middle linebacker has provided an anchor for the Lions' defense, and he leads the team with 57 tackles on the year. He once again played every single defensive snap Monday and has done so in each of the last three games.
