Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Limited on estimated report
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The Lions listed Rodriguez (knee) as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.
The Lions opened Rodriguez's 21-day practice window Monday as he enters the final stage of his recovery from torn ACL that he suffered last November. Wednesday's report was an estimate as a practice wasn't held, so Thursday's session will be his first opportunity for on-field reps since his injury. Per NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, Rodriguez is gearing up to make his 2025 debut against the Eagles in Week 11.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Aiming for Week 11 return
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The Lions are planning for Rodriguez (knee) to make his 2025 debut Week 11 against the Eagles on Nov. 16, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.
The Lions opened Rodriguez's 21-day practice window Tuesday, and though he'll be eligible to play as soon as this Sunday's game against the Vikings, the Lions want to have him ramp up slowly as he works his way back from the ACL tear he sustained last November. Before suffering the knee injury, the linebacker totaled a pair of sacks among his 43 tackles over 10 appearances during the 2024 campaign.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Set to return to practice
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Head coach Dan Campbell said Monday that the Lions plan to open the 21-day practice window for Rodriguez (knee) to return from the reserve/PUP list, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.
Rodriguez is in the final stages of his recovery from a torn right ACL that he sustained in Week 13 of the 2024 season. However, he would likely stay on the PUP list until he's able to log full practices. Rodriguez's practice participation over the coming week will determine whether the Lions activate him ahead of Sunday's NFC North clash against the Vikings.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Will miss at least four games
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Rodriguez (knee) was placed on the reserve/PUP list Tuesday.
Rodriguez played 10 games (six starts) and produced 43 tackles (27 solo) and 2.0 sacks last season before his season ended due to a torn ACL in late November. The 2022 second-round pick should be back in action by this November if he avoids any setbacks, and his earliest chance to play will be Week 5 versus the Bengals. He likely won't start once he returns, as Derrick Barnes and Alex Anzalone should have those outside linebacker roles locked up.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Heads to active/PUP list
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Rodriguez (knee) was placed on the active/PUP list by the Lions on Thursday.
Rodriguez is eligible to return from the list at any time throughout training camp and the preseason. However, he tore his ACL last November in a win over the Bears and in June, Detroit coach Dan Campbell estimated that the linebacker could perhaps return by November of this season, per Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com. Rodriguez has not played a starting role since his rookie campaign in 2022.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Tears ACL, out for season
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Rodriguez had an MRI that revealed a torn ACL in his knee, and his season is over, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, Rodriguez will have surgery to repair the ACL when his swelling subsides. The third-year pro ends his season with 43 tackles (27 solo), including 2.0 sacks, and a defensed pass. Ezekiel Turner could move into a starting role in Rodriguez's stead, though that responsibility may go to Kwon Alexander, who Detroit signed off Denver's practice squad Friday.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Injures knee Thursday
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Rodriguez suffered a knee injury during Sunday's game against the Bears.
Rodriguez remained down on the field in the fourth quarter while holding his right knee but was able to make it to the sideline under his own power. If he's unable to return, he'll finish Week 13 with five tackles and one pass defense.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Leads team in tackles
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Rodriguez tallied eight tackles (seven solo) Sunday in Detroit's win over the Colts.
Rodriguez saw increased playing time Sunday with both Alex Anzalone (forearm) and Derrick Barnes (knee) on injured reserve, and he ended up having his most productive game of the campaign. Rodriguez's eight tackles not only led the team, but they also served as a new season high for the 25-year-old. He will likely continue to serve as the team's starting linebacker while Anzalone and Barnes remain sidelined.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Limited to open week
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Rodriguez (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Rodriguez has been sidelined for the Lions' last two regular-season games after spraining his ankle in Week 8 against the Titans. Wednesday marked the first time he has been able to practice since the injury, and he'll have two more chances to increase his participation ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Won't face Houston
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Rodriguez (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Texans.
Rodriguez will miss his second straight game, allowing Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell to handle the bulk of the linebacker snaps for Detroit. Rodriguez's absence will mainly be felt on special teams.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Doesn't practice Thursday
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Rodriguez (ankle) did not practice Thursday.
Rodriguez injured his ankle during the Lions' Week 8 win over the Titans, but he was able to avoid a high-ankle sprain. Given it's an aggravated injury and he's logged consecutive DNPs this week, Rodriguez is unlikely to play against the Packers on Sunday. Should Rodriguez be sidelined, Trevor Nowaske would have the inside track on Ben Niemann to start at outside linebacker alongside Jack Campbell and Alex Anzalone.
Rodriguez aggravated a previous ankle injury in Sunday's 52-14 win over the Titans and is expected to miss the Lions' Week 9 matchup against the Packers, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Shultz's report Monday suggests that Rodriguez avoided what was thought to be a serious ankle injury; however, the Oklahoma State product will still likely be sidelined for Detroit's Week 9 contest. Rodriguez has recorded 26 total tackles, including 2.0 sacks, across the Lions' first seven games this season. Schultz also reported that Rodriguez is expected to return in Week 10, so either Ben Niemann or Jalen Reeves-Maybin is anticipated to start in his place Sunday.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Good to go
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Rodriguez (ankle) is active for Monday's game against the Raiders.
Rodriguez injured his ankle in last week's loss to the Ravens and subsequently landed a questionable designation for Monday's game. Barring any setbacks, he looks ready to take on his usual workload.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Stuck next to Anzalone
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Rodriguez will continue to play alongside Alex Anzalone in 2023 and beyond, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.
This limits the upside of the rising IDP prospect for the foreseeable future. However, linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard believes that the on-field support that Anzalone -- a defensive captain -- provided Rodriguez in 2022 made it easier for the latter to post impressive stat lines in the first place. While Anzalone's presence in the middle of the defense will nonetheless make it hard for Rodriguez to register elite IDP production going forward, it's still possible that Rodriguez could push for triple-digit tackles in 2023 after logging 87 as a rookie.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Logs full practice Wednesday
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Rodriguez (elbow) was listed as a full participant on the Lions' injury report Wednesday.
Rodriguez was limited with an elbow injury during each practice Week 10, leaving him sidelined for Sunday's win against the Bears. The rookie linebacker recorded 54 tackles, one sack, one pass defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery over the first eight games of the season, and he should reprise this starting role in Sunday's Week 11 contest versus the Giants.
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Lions' Malcolm Rodriguez: Eight tackles in Week 3
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Rodriguez collected eight tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's 28-24 loss to the Vikings.
The rookie linebacker continues to make plays across the field, as he recorded eight tackles while playing 76 percent of the team's defensive snaps in Week 3. Rodriguez hopes to continue his impressive efforts when the Lions host Seattle on Sunday.
