While the Detroit Lions’ offensive line struggles with injuries, the defense is actually getting healthier as the season progresses. According to Dan Campbell, the Lions will be getting back “some really good impact players” over the next few weeks. One of the players Campbell referenced is about to make his return. Two weeks ago, the Lions opened the 21-day return window for LB Malcolm Rodriguez to begin practicing with the team.
Popular Detroit Lions’ Impact Player Malcolm Rodriguez Returning Just In Time
Lions Malcolm Rodriguez
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) watches practice during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
Rodriguez has been physically unable to perform since November 2024 after tearing his ACL in Week 13. Before his injury, he contributed to Detroit’s 23-20 victory over the Chicago Bears, with five tackles and a pass defense. His pending return couldn’t come at a more opportune time. Detroit faces a critical stretch against the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Giants, and the Green Bay Packers. The latest practice report had Rodriguez logging a full practice. He should be back for the Eagles game.
Lions’ Defender About To Make His Return
Rodriguez played both safety and linebacker in college. His versatility was one of the key traits that attracted the Lions. Last year, Rodriguez played a role on defense and special teams. Upon his return, he will join Grant Stuard and Trevor Nowaske in a backup LB role. However, the 26-year-old has previously demonstrated an ability to step up when needed. “Rodrigo,” as he is known to his teammates, has a great work ethic and is popular with fans and coaches alike.
In three seasons with the Lions, Rodriguez has a total of 152 career tackles (79 solo), 3.0 sacks, three pass defenses, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Before his injury last year, the former Oklahoma State Cowboy was enjoying a great season in Detroit. Appearing in 10 games (six starts), he recorded 43 tackles (two TFLs), 2.0 sacks, and one PDF in 318 defensive snaps, earning a PFF grade of 74.4. Another 142 special teams snaps earned him a 62.6 PFF grade.
In the meantime, Detroit’s LB room is deep enough to allow Rodriguez an opportunity to regain his strength and agility. Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, and Derrick Barnes make up the league’s only linebacker trio, with all three men ranking among the Top 30 linebackers in snaps played this season. No other NFL team can boast a trio of linebackers who come close to matching those numbers.
Brad Holmes’ Draft Strategy Pays Off
Rodriguez showed impressive speed in the 40-yard dash, recording 4.57, and displayed superior bench pressing strength at 36 reps. However, he was downgraded for his short arms (30 1/8), and considered undersized at 5’11” and 232 lbs. Ranked 20th among the 2022 linebacker draft class, Rodriguez was predicted to go off the board with the 170th pick. NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein summed up Rodriguez, stating his value would be a “litmus test for teams who value tape and productivity over size.”
But once again, Brad Holmes proved to be a keen judge of underrated talent and a master draft strategist. Agreeing to relinquish the Lions’ 181st pick, Holmes traded down with the Eagles in exchange for two Eagles picks. He selected Rodriguez with the 188th pick and drafted CB Chase Lucas with the second pick. Lucas is now with the San Francisco 49ers, but in trading down for Rodriguez, the Lions got a steal of a linebacker who began to pay immediate dividends.
Rodriguez, His Rookie Year With The Lions
Rodriguez started 15 of the 16 games he appeared in during his rookie year. He recorded 87 tackles (12 TFLs), one sack, two PDFs, and a forced fumble. Rodriguez was named to the 2022 PFWA All-Rookie Team and led the rookie class with 12 TFLs. He was one of four rookies that season with at least eight tackles, one sack, and a fumble recovery.
In January of 2023, concluding his outstanding rookie year, Rodriguez posted on his Twitter (X) account @malcolmrod and thanked the fans for “embracing a small-town cowboy from Oklahoma with open arms.”
Rookie year 🙏🏼
Detroit, what a ride.
Thank you for embracing a small town cowboy from Oklahoma with open arms and your support through it all. So much more in store for us#onepride
Until next year….😈 pic.twitter.com/jD05v6zMha
— Malcolm Rodriguez (@malcolmlrod) January 12, 2023
Rodriguez, 2025 Impact
A year ago, Dan Campbell was asked about what Rodriguez brought to the defense. “It’s good to get Rodrigo back because he does, he gives us a lot of flexibility,” Campbell said. “He can play the WILL, he can play the SAM out in space, he’s been playing kind of that big nickel, and so having him back it does, it does relieve a lot of pressure there. And I thought, there again, I thought he played really well yesterday. He’s got a nose for the football, he’s aggressive, and he just has production back there, so it’s big getting him back.”
Rodriguez, Future Outlook
Now in the final year of his rookie contract, Rodriguez needs to convince team management that he’s worth extending. However, he’s at a disadvantage starting at the season’s mid-point. Nonetheless, assuming Rodriguez plays at the level he’s demonstrated previously, he has a convincing argument for a contract extension. When considering which players to retain each year, Holmes and Campbell are known to look beyond the statistics.
During a recent media session, Dan Campbell was asked about the value of re-signing drafted players as a path to long-term success and sustainability. He acknowledged that one of the goals he and Holmes focus on is being competitive from year to year and playing at a high level. “With the guys that we’ve drafted and…re-signed, there’s a reason why we’ve drafted them. Yes, they’re productive,…they fit us, they are to their core everything we’re about. Just the nature of the way they play the game, the love for the game, they’re pretty smart, they’re headsy, they’re aware, they’re resilient, and they’ve got this ability… So, that’s the foundation of our team, and as many of those guys as we can re-sign, we’re going to do it. That we think can help us until we run out of money, I guess.”
Rodriguez’s Long-term Future As A Detroit Lion
In addition to being a versatile talent who contributes on defense and special teams, Rodriguez is someone whom Kelvin Sheppard can rely on as a locker room leader and unselfish player. Last year, in an interview with Pride of Detroit’s Jeremy Reisman, Sheppard said of Rodriguez, “A guy like Malcolm and you lose sight of a guy like this when you’re sitting up here talking about Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, well those guys are his biggest fan and he’s their biggest fan.” Sheppard continued, “It’s times where I’m pulling guys off the field, and I’m (thinking), ‘I gotta get him three reps.’ [Rodriguez] is like, ‘It’s all good, coach, I want him to play.’ And you rarely find that in this sport, where guys are competing for monetary prizes and things like that. But we’re fortunate to have that.”
Rodriguez’s team-first attitude is a trait befitting his tenure as a two-time Oklahoma State captain and indicative of the Lions’ desired standard. It’s safe to assume, when Rodriguez returns to the lineup, with his drive, talent, and determination, he’ll continue to be an impact player for the Lions for this season and beyond.
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