GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — In another dominant Lions win, there’s a loss. Head Coach Dan Campbell confirmed linebacker and team captain Alex Anzalone broke his arm during Sunday’s 52-6 win and will miss some time.
It happened late in the second quarter while trying to tackle Jacksonville running back Travis Etienne Jr. Video replay shows Anzalone with his left arm extended when safety Brian Branch comes in and lays a hit on Etienne, hitting Anzalone’s forearm.
The CBS broadcast reported in the second half that Anzalone would not return.
CBS cameras also caught Anzalone talking to head coach Dan Campbell and linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard while being helped to the locker room. He turns back to the coaches and appears to mouth the words, “It’s broke.”
Campbell confirmed as much in his post-game interview.
“Looks like he broke the forearm, so he’s going to be out six to eight weeks,” Campbell said.
Anzalone’s injury puts additional stress on an already banged-up linebacker unit. Derrick Barnes has been out since Week 3 with a knee injury and isn’t close to a return. Jalen Reeves-Maybin suffered a neck injury during Detroit’s Week 9 win at Green Bay and placed on injured reserve, meaning he must sit out at least two more games.
Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez returned the action on Sunday, missing the last two games with an ankle injury suffered against Tennessee.
Anzalone’s injury cast a pall over what was otherwise a dominating effort, similar to Detroit’s 47-9 blowout of the Dallas Cowboys, but losing star defender Aidan Hutchinson to a broken leg.
The Lions (9-1) will return to action next Sunday, traveling to Indianapolis to take on the Colts (5-6). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. The game will be televised on Fox.