DETROIT – The Detroit Lions have lost yet another defensive starter to a season-ending injury, per reports.
Malcolm Rodriguez has stepped in as a starting linebacker for the Lions due to long-term injuries to Derrick Barnes and Alex Anzalone. But during Thursday’s win over the Chicago Bears, he was one of many defensive players to limp off the field.
Reports now have surfaced that Rodriguez tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.
The Lions are hurting badly in the front seven with the losses of Barnes, Anzalone, Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, and others whose statuses are less clear after Thanksgiving Day.
Jack Campbell is the only healthy linebacker left of those who were expected to play major roles at the beginning of the season.
The Lions are 11-1 and atop the NFC standings, but their defense struggled in the second half against the Bears because of the mounting injuries.
Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will try to keep working his magic as the Lions seek their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.
