Lions LB Alex Anzalone 'crushed' conditioning test, not practicing as contract unresolved
Anzalone was one of three players not on the physically unable to perform list, along with linebacker Anthony Pittman and edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad, who did not take part in the first practice of training camp Sunday.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said Anzalone "crushed" the Lions' conditioning test but is not practicing because of an unspecified injury.
Anzalone did not take part in formal offseason workouts this spring and has hinted repeatedly at being unhappy with his contract on social media. He is due $6 million in base salary and has $100,000 total in per-game roster bonuses this fall, the final year on his current contract.
Anzalone, who turns 31 in September and is underpaid by top linebacker standards, is a four-time team captain and one of the Lions' best and most important defensive players. He had 63 tackles and one sack last season despite missing seven games with a fractured forearm.
LIONS INJURIES: Levi Onwuzurike out for season, Josh Paschal out into September
Campbell noted Anzalone also stayed away from the team most of last offseason, when he only took part in mandatory minicamp — the Lions did not have a minicamp this spring — and said he does not believe Anzalone, who was not see at the public portion of practice, is in a "hold-in" situation.
Rather than hold out and face daily fines, some NFL players unhappy with their contracts report to camp but do not take part in practice.
"No way, right," Campbell said. "I refuse to believe that.'
Asked about Anzalone's contract, Campbell said there is nothing "that I can really talk about."
"He's here, reported, did great on the conditioning test, weight's good and ready to go," he said.
With Anzalone out and Malcolm Rodriguez expected to miss the first half of the season recovering form a torn ACL, Zach Cunningham joined Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes in playing linebacker Sunday with the first-team defense.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Alex Anzalone Lions contract update: LB returns but not practicing
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