Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone was listed as questionable for Sunday’s NFC showdown for the Minnesota Vikings and could be activated off injury reserve this week.
Anzalone broke his left forearm in a game against the Jacksonville in Week 11 and has missed the past six games.
Anzalone, a team captain, was injured during a play in which teammate Brian Branch pushed Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. out of bounds. Anzalone’s arm got tangled between the two players.
Anzalone, 30, returned to practice earlier this week. Lions coach Dan Campbell liked what he saw from Anzalone during Friday’s session but also wants to be cautious.
“It’s really about him getting comfortable, and so much of it is what we really like to do is get these guys worked in before you throw them into the fire,” Campbell said of Anzalone. “We try to do that with as many of our guys as we can. Get them comfortable with a week of practice, then they’re ready for the following week.
“So that’s kind of the phase we’re in. We want him, would love to have him, but we want to be smart, too. We’ve got a playoff game after this, so just trying to be right by him and by us.”
Both the Lions and Vikings have 14-2 record entering the Sunday night clash.
Anzalone has 56 tackles — seven for loss — in nine games this season. He had a career-best 129 tackles in 2023 and 125 in 2022.
As expected, running back David Montgomery (knee) and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (illness) will miss the contest. Joining Anzalone as questionable are running back Craig Reynolds (back) and receiver Khalif Raymond (foot).
–Field Level Media
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