For the second straight season, the Detroit Lions find themselves battling a wave of defensive injuries. And with a matchup against Matthew Stafford and the high-powered Los Angeles Rams looming, the biggest question is whether the Lions can keep their defense functioning without Terrion Arnold (shoulder), Brian Branch (Achilles), and possibly Kerby Joseph (knee).
Last year the front seven absorbed the bulk of the damage, as Detroit cycled through missing starters almost weekly. This time the attrition has flipped — the secondary has been gutted, and the linebackers are being asked to stabilize the unit.
“We leaned heavily on our linebackers last game,” Dan Campbell said this week.
Jack Campbell Becoming the Anchor of Detroit’s Defense
One of the few constants through all the chaos has been Jack Campbell, who hasn’t missed a single game in his NFL career. His growth from Week 1 of 2024 to now has been steady and undeniable, and whenever Detroit has needed a spark, he has delivered.
In the 44–30 victory over Dallas, Campbell posted a season-defining performance: a game-best 12 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble that immediately preceded a four-play touchdown drive.
“Jack Campbell was everywhere,” Campbell said. “He nearly forced three more fumbles. That’s how he practices — always attacking the ball. And he’s not swinging blindly. He sees it and goes for it.”
Last year, the defense’s performance slid when Alex Anzalone went down and improved when he came back, signaling that it was still very much his defense. This season feels different. Campbell has taken over as the heartbeat of the unit, asserting himself every snap and in every phase.
Numbers Show Campbell’s Breakout Season
With four games remaining, Campbell already sits at 129 tackles, nearly matching last year’s total of 131. His five sacks shatter his previous career mark, and his three forced fumbles triple his old total. Before the Cowboys game, he led the league with 48 run stops and ranked third in fewest missed tackles on running plays, per Next Gen Stats.
And he hasn’t just excelled on defense — he has logged 73 special teams snaps as well.
“He’s unbelievable,” special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said. “He’ll do anything we need.”
Detroit Needs Every Linebacker to Step Up
If the Lions hope to finish the final stretch at 3–1 — the likely requirement to remain in the playoff hunt — they’ll need more than just Campbell’s heroics. Turnovers have been difficult to generate without Joseph on the field.
Derrick Barnes, who re-signed in the offseason, is having a breakout year with four sacks, 62 tackles, and a critical interception of Dak Prescott. Anzalone continues to contribute across the board: 79 tackles, seven pass breakups, 1.5 sacks, and an interception.
“Our guys are attacking the football, and it pays off,” Campbell said. “You see what you hit, you make an intentional effort. One guy secures the tackle, the other takes the ball. Bite the football — we have to keep doing that.”
A Bigger Challenge Ahead
Shutting down Dallas was a major accomplishment, but the Rams present an even more consistent and explosive offense. If the Lions are going to escape with a win, it’s almost certain that Jack Campbell will once again have to lead the charge.
