The Detroit Lions’ impressive season came to a painful end. But now it’s time to look forward. Over the next two weeks, MLive will provide reviews for each team position group. Today: Linebackers. Previously:Categories include quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers/tight ends, offensive line, and defensive line/edge.

LINEBACKERS

In a 7-round NFL mock draft for 2025, the Lions address a number of significant needs…In a 7-round NFL mock draft for 2025, the Lions address a number of significant needs…

Starters from the end of the season: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, and Trevor Nowaske.

Backups include Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Ben Niemann, Trevor Nowaske, David Long Jr., Mitchell Agude, Anthony Pittman, Zeke Turner, and Kwon Alexander.

Injured: Malcolm Rodriguez and Derrick Barnes.

Jack Campbell started every game this season and led the team with 131 combined tackles. As he assumed more responsibility in the Lions’ defence, his special teams snap count fell by 90, while his defensive snap count increased by 335.

Alex Anzalone missed seven games due to injuries and illness, including six with a broken forearm, but he finished second on the team with seven tackles for loss.

The Lions’ run defence suffered a decline but remained in the top five, allowing 98.4 rushing yards per game. Given the injuries and roster turnover this season, Kelvin Sheppard, the linebackers coach who is now the defensive coordinator, did an excellent job of planning and preparing the team.

Kory’s grade is C.

The Lions’ linebacker corps was one of their deepest units, with solid depth in case any of the three starters were injured.

But what happens when you lose not only two key starters for a large portion, if not the entire season, but also the majority of your backups? You’re stuck with Jack Campbell for all 17 games, alongside a rotating cast of new characters.

Derrick Barnes, coming off a productive third season, was sidelined for the year after only three games due to a knee injury. His versatility — dropping into coverage, rushing the passer, and even lining up as an edge rusher when necessary — was an important missing piece in the Lions’ front seven. With Barnes sidelined, Malcolm Rodriguez saw more playing time.

After starting 15 games as a rookie in 2022, “Rodrigo” began the season as the Lions’ fourth linebacker. He took on an even larger role after another key starter — more on that later — suffered a major injury. As the Lions adopted a linebacker-by-committee approach, injuries mounted, and Rodriguez was eventually sidelined, tearing his ACL in a Week 13 victory over the Chicago Bears.

Alex Anzalone, the team’s leading tackler last season and best coverage linebacker, was having a good year. As of Week 11, he had 51 tackles, six for loss, four quarterback hits, four passes defended, and one sack.

Unfortunately for Detroit, Anzalone broke his forearm during their 52-6 win over Jacksonville, forcing him to miss the next six games. He returned in Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings, recording seven tackles, one quarterback hit, and one pass defended to help the Lions win their second consecutive NFC North title and secure the conference’s top seed.

Last but not least, Jalen Reeves-Maybin missed seven games with an upper-body injury. His absence was felt not only on special teams, where he earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honours last season, but also as a crucial reserve linebacker.

With injuries decimating the roster, the Lions were forced to sign players off the street, including David Long Jr. and Zeke Turner, while also poaching Anthony Pittman (who played in Detroit last season) and Kwon Alexander from practice squads.

“When you look back on what just happened, you’re like, ‘Man, can we ever have enough defensive depth?’” “Is that possible?” Lions head coach Dan Campbell reflected on their divisional round loss to the Washington Commanders.

“Because we were loaded, you didn’t consider losing ones and twos in almost every group. But you only have 53 spots. We’re going to look into everything, but this was one of those strange, freakish years.”

With so much turnover due to injuries, it’s difficult to give the linebacker unit a fair grade this season. The lack of continuity forced then-defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and position coach Kelvin Sheppard to operate on a constant plug-and-play basis.

Regardless of the circumstances, Zeke Turner took advantage of his opportunity in Detroit and should be a candidate to return next season.

Turner was signed on November 6 and promoted to the active roster prior to Week 10’s game against Jacksonville. He appeared in nine games, recording 12 combined tackles and three quarterback hits. He was a key rotational piece on defence and a key contributor on special teams, playing 176 snaps. Near the end of the season, Dan Campbell and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp praised him for his efforts.

Jack Campbell, a second-year linebacker, stood tall throughout. His pass coverage is still a work in progress—he allowed 35 completions on 45 targets for 436 yards, according to Pro Football Reference, with opposing quarterbacks posting a 114.4 passer rating when targeting him.

However, his missed tackles decreased slightly, and he doubled his pressures from the previous season, finishing with eight. The experience of playing an elevated role for six games without Anzalone should benefit Campbell’s development and readiness for a larger role in 2025.