As the Detroit Lions come off their bye week and prepare for the back end of their schedule, their linebacker corps is due for a boost in the form of a key defender’s return.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that sources tell him the Lions are activating linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez from injured reserve, and he will begin practicing this week. Known to many in the organization as “Rodrigo,” the key defender has been out of action since tearing his ACL in a Week 13 matchup against the Chicago Bears last season.
News of the Lions reintegrating Rodriguez into the lineup falls in line with what Lions coach Dan Campbell told reporters nearly two weeks ago.
“We’re hoping after the bye we can start rolling him out there a little bit, get him going,” Campbell said on Oct. 14.
Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network recently reported that Rodriguez underwent a second cleanup procedure over the summer to address scar tissue.
Before his injury, Rodriguez was a key piece in the Lions’ linebacker rotation. In 10 games last season, he tallied 43 tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, a pass defended, and a forced fumble.
In recent weeks, Rodriguez has been visible in the Lions’ locker room at their practice facility in Allen Park. It’s unclear when he’ll be able to suit up for action following an expected ramp-up period, but the fact that he’s on his way back to the lineup comes at a perfect time for the Lions.
On Saturday, the team announced that it was placing reserve linebacker and special teams contributor Zach Cunningham on the injured reserve list due to a hamstring injury that has nagged the veteran defender throughout the season.
Because of that, Cunningham will have to miss a minimum of four games. The earliest he could return would be during Week 13 -- the Lions’ home Thanksgiving Day game against the division rival Green Bay Packers.
The Lions were patient with the return of defensive lineman Alim McNeill, who also suffered an ACL injury last season in a Week 15 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Although McNeill said he was ready to play immediately upon the Lions opening his 21-day practice window, they opted to keep him out until the Week 7 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With Rodriguez expected to be a key piece of the Lions’ linebacker rotation this season, it wouldn’t be surprising if they followed a similar plan with him.
The Lions selected Rodriguez in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 188th overall pick.
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