Latest news with #DerrickBarnes
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Lions training camp medical preview: Linebackers
The linebackers suffered significant casualties last season as well as a surprise offseason surgery. All that along with Alex Anzalone's contract status means there are a lot of uncertainties going forward. The lack of quality, proven depth could be an issue this season if the starters don't stay healthy. Last season, the Lions kept six LB's on the initial 53-man roster (Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Malcolm Rodriguez, Ben Niemann). Here is the list of LB's starting with the players with the biggest medical question marks entering the season. Ages are at the start of the season. #1: Malcolm Rodriguez - 27yo Right ACL - November 28, 2024 The ACL isn't a long-term concern, but it will keep Rodriguez out for about half this season. He is entering the final year of his 4-year rookie deal so has a lot of motivation to prove recovery. As expected, he was placed on PUP at the start of training camp. Projection: An estimated 11-month recovery would have him return on November 2 vs the Vikings. He may not start looking like his former self until late in the season or 2026 though. #2: Derrick Barnes - 26yo Right MCL/PCL - September 22, 2024 An MCL/PCL injury ended his season in Week 3. This offseason, the Lions showed a lot of confidence by giving him a 3-year deal with $16 million guaranteed. Despite his visible right leg atrophy this offseason and a limited participation at OTA last month, he should be ready for the season. He was not placed on PUP at the start of camp which confirms his readiness. Projection: Barnes is in the starting lineup for Week 1. #3: Jack Campbell - 25yo Campbell has played every game in his two-year NFL career. However during OTA, Campbell revealed that he had a minor hip surgery this offseason. He didn't seem too concerned which is reassuring. In related news, Kerby Joseph had hip surgery the previous offseason and then became an All-Pro. Campbell was not placed on PUP at the start of camp which confirms that he is ready. Projection: Campbell starts Week 1 and continues to anchor the middle of the defense. #4: Alex Anzalone - 30yo Left forearm fracture - November 17, 2024 A forearm fracture cost him six games last year, but he was able to return for the final two games. There is no concern with the arm going forward. He has a history of a chronic right shoulder dating back to college but has been playing through that just fine. The main question for Anzalone may be his contract status. He was one of only two players who skipped OTA (Ragnow, retired), and there are multiple hints that he is seeking a new or adjusted deal. He has posted many offseason workout videos suggesting he is healthy and ready for the season. Projection: Even if he holds out all of camp, Anzalone will be a starter in Week 1. #5: DaRon Gilbert - 24yo Last year as an undrafted rookie, Gilbert was waived by the Lions in preseason with an unspecified injury designation. Projection: The lack of young depth means that Gilbert has a shot to make the 53-man roster. #6: Trevor Nowaske - 26yo Nowaske had a concussion in practice last season and missed a game. He played a healthy 349 snaps last season for the Lions on defense, and another 284 on special teams. Projection: He makes the 53-man roster with his experience and youth. #7: Grant Stuard - 26yo The Lions signed Stuard as a free agent this offseason. He has been remarkably reliable being available for every game in his 4-year NFL career. He does have a remote history of a torn meniscus which isn't a significant concern in the short-term. Projection: With a fully-guaranteed, 1-year contract, Stuard will make the 53-man roster. #8: Anthony Pittman - 28yo Pittman joined the Lions late last season and appeared in the final three regular season games. He should be healthy going into the season. Projection: He may compete for a final roster spot. #9: Ezekiel Turner - 29yo Turner got 111 snaps last year on defense with the Lions. Most of his snaps (189) came on special teams. He should be healthy going into the season although his age is nearing 30. Projection: If he makes the team, it will be because of special teams. #10: Zach Cunningham - 30yo Last year with the Broncos, he missed a few games with a hamstring but that's not a concern going forward. Projection: The Lions likely would prefer to stay younger at the LB position. This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions training camp medical preview: Linebackers
USA Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Most Important Lions of 2025: Healthy Derrick Barnes is a much-needed addition to the D
Here's the play where Lions LB Derrick Barnes gets hit low and exits the game with a knee injury. Pretty unfortunate. #OnePride It's been an eventful year for Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes. Most recently, he signed a three-year contract extension worth $25.5 million dollars with $16 million dollars guaranteed. Prior to that, he was playing some of the best football of his career and it was clear that he was building a defined role on the defense. However, there's some uncertainty on if Barnes will have limitations coming off an injury. Last season there were unfortunate circumstances with Barnes getting lost to the season with a knee injury. This occurred after a cut block in week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals. The blocker hit Barnes low and at an awkward angle, and immediately Barnes was left grabbing his knee. Despite some hope that he could return, it was ultimately revealed late last season that Barnes wouldn't return. Now Barnes is back, playing under a new contract, and he's been a full go up to this point of the off-season. It's been said from Barnes that he 'expects to have the same role' for Kelvin Sheppard as he did for Aaron Glenn. Obviously, that is yet to be see,n but plenty of attention will be focused on Barnes and what he can do coming off a serious knee injury. It was clear last season that Barnes was missed for the Lions defense. Having a versatile defender that can align in the middle of the defense or stand up off the edge is important for any defense. That's no different in Detroit. Additionally, seeing the injuries sustained to Alex Anzalone and Malcolm Rodriguez left the Lions scrambling to find help at linebacker next to Jack Campbell. It's evident that having a healthy Derrick Barnes is important and him staying healthy is just as important. It's hard to find a player to fill his spot on a consistent basis. Meanwhile, he'll need to play up to his new contract. All the signs point to that happening this season, but if it doesn't, the Lions could be left scrambling to put the pieces together as the season goes on.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top 10 injury news of the Lions 2024 season - #10 Alex Anzalone's forearm fracture
Defensive injuries are going to take up a lot of this Detroit Lions top 10 injury news list, so let's get things started with Alex Anzalone who fractured his left forearm in week 11. Anzalone has been an extremely valuable player and captain since joining the team four years ago. One of his most memorable plays in a Lions uniform was when he sniffed out a 4th down play to help end the Packers playoff hopes in 2022. Losing him late last season was a big concern as the Lions had already lost a number of key defenders. Injury video from November 17, 2024 He ended up having plate and screws to fix the fracture, which left a lengthy scar. Anzalone forearm scar Impact of injury Despite the loss of this key cog in the middle of the defense, the Lions only lost one of the six games Anzalone missed. Credit to the team for sustaining their winning ways after already losing defensive starters Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, and Derrick Barnes earlier. Advertisement Anzalone recovered in time to return for the final regular season game vs the Vikings and the playoff game vs the Commanders. Interesting tidbits ∎Anzalone played in a game just five days into his 21-day practice window. Typically and ideally, the practice window is timed to try to take advantage of as much of it as possible. The nature of his injury being an arm (not a leg) as well as the importance of the game (Lions vs Vikings - #1 seed to the winner) likely played a role in his early return in the window. ∎Some might say experience is the best teacher. Some might say pain is. Anzalone has both as he broke the same left forearm in college. Friendly fire injury Friendly fire injuries were a concern throughout the season and Anzalone's injury fell into that category. Here's the link to my article summarizing the 2024 friendly fire injuries. While Brian Branch was the one who laid the critical hit, I wouldn't place any blame on him as Anzalone was reaching simultaneously and was not close to having the runner wrapped up. Outlook Going forward, there are no significant concerns with Anzalone's forearm. He looked great when he returned, and his strong play should continue into next season. Off-the-field considerations The main concern as the season approaches may be off-the-field. He skipped the voluntary OTA for unstated reasons, but there are whispers it could be due to the desire for an extension. Advertisement The 2025 season will be his final one under his current contract. Anzalone starts the 2025 season at age 30 and turns 31 on September 22. Age is beginning to become a concern, but with no signs of athletic decline, it's possible the Lions will feel comfortable extending him this offseason. The forearm fracture should not have any impact on this decision. While the health issues are negligible, salary cap considerations are not. At the LB position, Derrick Barnes just received a 3-year deal worth up to $25.5 million with $16 million guaranteed, and the productive, 24-year-old Jack Campbell may be a priority extension next offseason. The Lions also have many younger players who are worthy of big-money extensions such as Aidan Hutchinson, Brian Branch, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta. As training camp nears, it will be interesting to see how Anzalone's status plays out. This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Top 10 injury news of Lions 2024 season - #10 Alex Anzalone's forearm
USA Today
07-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Lions sign an extension with LB Derrick Barnes
Lions sign an extension with LB Derrick Barnes The Detroit Lions dealt with more injuries than any other team, especially on defense, in 2024. It hindered their ability to go on a Super Bowl despite going 15-2 in the regular season. Thankfully, there is some good news that is accompanying one of their key defensive starters they lost as they head into 2025. Ian Rapoport announced on Friday morning that the Lions had reached an agreement with linebacker Derrick Barnes on a contract extension. Rapoport says the extension is for three years and $25.5 million, which will significantly increase Barnes's salary from his rookie contract. This will also be considered another draft hit for Brad Holmes and his front office. Derrick Barnes was drafted by the Lions in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft after a college career at Purdue. He only played in three games in 2024, but 2023 saw him break out and become one of the playmakers on a tough Lions defense. He accumulated 81 total tackles, five tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, a sack, and a forced fumble in 16 games during the 2023 season. The Lions extending him means they are expecting more of that type of production and disruption going forward, which should be a safe assumption by the team.
USA Today
21-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Lions mock draft 3.0: Pre-Combine edition
The NFL calendar speeds into the Scouting Combine for the final week of February. With everyone who's anyone heading to Indianapolis for the annual scouting extravaganze and de facto NFL meetings, it's a good time to reset the Detroit Lions with another mock draft. No trades in this one, but there are a couple of conditions to help set up the roster and needs. Before the draft scenario here, the Lions re-signed CB Carlton Davis and LB Derrick Barnes as free agents, but saw DL Levi Onwuzurike, EDGE Marcus Davenport and S Ifeatu Melifonwu depart as free agents and RG Kevin Zeitler retire. The first mock draft scenario can be found here. The post-Senior Bowl mock draft is here. With an emphasis on players who fit the Lions football culture and expected schemes, as well as reasonable expectations of being available at the draft slots, here's how this third Lions mock draft of the offseason plays out.
