2024 Lions Season Review: Linebacker Unit Faces Injuries and Adapts with ‘Next-Man-Up’ Mentality
The Detroit Lions endured a challenging conclusion to an otherwise strong season, and now it’s time to reflect. Over the next two weeks, MLive will provide reviews for each of the team’s position groups. Today: Linebackers. Previous reviews: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers/tight ends | Offensive line | Defensive Line/EDGE.
Key Contributors: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Trevor Nowaske
Backup Players: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Ben Niemann, Trevor Nowaske, David Long Jr., Mitchell Agude, Anthony Pittman, Zeke Turner, Kwon Alexander
Injured: Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes
Key Stats: Jack Campbell was a constant on the field, playing every game and leading the team with 131 tackles. His increased role on defense resulted in a sharp decline in special teams snaps, with a decrease of 90, and an increase of 335 defensive snaps. Alex Anzalone, despite missing seven games due to injury, including six with a broken forearm, still ranked second on the team with seven tackles for loss. The Lions saw a drop in their run defense but remained in the top five, allowing an average of 98.4 rushing yards per game. Despite injuries and roster changes, linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard, who is now the defensive coordinator, did an admirable job preparing the unit.
Kory’s Grade: C
Breakdown: Heading into 2024, the Lions’ linebacker group seemed to be one of the team’s deepest, with plenty of capable backups ready to step in. However, when the Lions lost not only two crucial starters but also many of their backups, the unit was stretched thin. Jack Campbell played in all 17 games, becoming a mainstay alongside a revolving door of substitutes. Derrick Barnes, coming off a promising third year, was lost to a knee injury after just three games, leaving a significant void in the front seven. His versatility, including his ability to rush the passer and cover in space, was sorely missed. As a result, Malcolm Rodriguez saw more playing time, and after Barnes’ injury, Rodriguez himself took on an even bigger role before suffering an ACL tear in Week 13.
Alex Anzalone, the Lions’ leading tackler in 2023 and one of the team’s best coverage linebackers, had a solid 2024 campaign until he fractured his forearm in Week 11. Despite the injury, Anzalone was still able to make an impact upon his return in Week 18, contributing seven tackles and helping the team secure their second consecutive NFC North title.
The unit also felt the absence of Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who missed seven games due to an upper-body injury. His contributions as a special teams standout and reserve linebacker were significantly missed.
As injuries depleted the linebacking corps, the Lions were forced to bring in players from outside the team, including David Long Jr., Zeke Turner, Anthony Pittman, and Kwon Alexander. The extensive turnover in personnel left the team with few options, and head coach Dan Campbell reflected on how difficult it was to manage depth with so many injuries.
“Looking back, you think, ‘Can we ever have enough depth?’” Campbell said after the Lions’ divisional-round loss. “We were stacked, but we didn’t account for losing so many key players. It was a weird season.”
Despite the constant reshuffling, Zeke Turner stepped up as a valuable contributor. Signed in November and quickly promoted to the active roster, Turner played in nine games and recorded 12 tackles, three quarterback hits, and was a key part of special teams. His solid performance earned recognition from Campbell and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp.
Through it all, Jack Campbell continued to grow. While his pass coverage needs work — allowing 35 completions on 45 targets for 436 yards — Campbell improved his missed tackles slightly and doubled his pressure production from the previous season, finishing with eight pressures. The experience of taking on a larger role during Anzalone’s absence will help Campbell prepare for an even bigger responsibility in 2025.
