Dan Campell, the Lions’ head coach, has revealed that the team will be without one important defensive piece until November

Despite the fact that their injury-plagued 2024 season has ended, the Detroit Lions are still dealing with the aftermath of the injuries.

They have already stated that they do not expect defensive tackle Alim McNeill to be ready for the start of the 2025 season.

Now, the team has added another key member of their defense to the list of players who will be unable to begin the season, but this player will be out for much longer.

Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez pushes Anthony Richardson out of bounds.

Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (Grace Hollars/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)

While speaking to the media at OTAs, head coach Dan Campbell said that linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez will be out until November as he recovers from an ACL injury that ended his 2024 season.

Rodriguez got off to an unexpectedly rapid start in the NFL after the Lions selected him in the sixth round of the 2022 draft.

He started 15 games as a rookie and recorded 87 tackles, eight of which were for a loss.

Then he took a step back in year two. In 2023, his performance suffered significantly, with only 21 total tackles to his credit.

Then he started to get back on track this season. He recorded 43 tackles in ten games, including two sacks.

The injury that interrupted his 2024 season occurred late in November, thus he is projected to return roughly a year after the injury.

The Lions recently signed Zach Cunningham as depth at linebacker, possibly motivated by their anticipation that Rodriguez will be out for an extended length of time.

Rodriguez will return to being an essential piece of the Lions’ defense once he has fully recovered from his injury, but in the meantime, the Lions will have to deal with another key absence on defense.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown scores a touchdown.

2025 This is the 16-man practice squad projection for the Detroit Lions prior to training camp. The Lions are not yet abandoning a few players

Hendon Hooker, quarterback: Although I do not anticipate Hooker’s inclusion on the 53-man roster, I do not believe that they have concluded their relationship with him. He proceeds to the practice squad and gradually regains his position.
RB Craig Reynolds: It is inevitable that the Lions will pursue Sione Vaki; however, Reynolds’ significance to the organization is too significant to permit him to advance. Consequently, I have him reinstated on the practice roster.
WR Tom Kennedy: I am uncertain of its location; however, there is a league regulation that mandates his presence with the Lions at all times.
WR Dominic Lovett: In the end, I believe that undrafted rookie Jackson Meeks has a more favorable chance of making the 53-man roster than Lovett does at this time. However, Lovett has the opportunity to spend the year improving his game and making it difficult to say no in the future.
TE Shane Zylstra: Zylstra is a reliable tight end who is worth retaining in the event of an emergency.
OL Kayode Awosika: It would be prudent for the Lions to prevent this individual from straying too far. He performed admirably during the instances in which the Lions required his presence on the field.
Overtime Mason Miller: I am intrigued by this player because I believe the Lions would like to invest time in him and explore his potential. However, it is probable that he has not yet arrived.
Axis Isaac Ukwu: I am eager to observe Ukwu’s performance this summer. He was quite proficient last summer and even achieved a few elevations during the 2024 season.
DT Brodric Martin: Sure, it hasn’t worked out, but it’s difficult to envision the Lions abandoning this individual entirely. It is likely that they will be interested in observing what he can contribute from this point forward.
DL Myles Adams: The Lions would likely like to observe whether he can improve upon his performance in 2024, as he was effective in brief periods. However, he is not a member of the primary roster.
Axis Keith Cooper Jr. made a strong impression at the rookie mini-camp and is expected to have a summer similar to Ukwu, which will result in an extended look.
LB Ezekiel Turner: The Lions are exceedingly proficient at linebacker, which is why they are incapable of retaining all of their players. Turner is a seasoned veteran who should be retained in case of an emergency.
S Loren Strickland: This individual is known for his powerful hitting, which the coaching staff appears to appreciate. However, it is possible that he is not the most promising candidate to be included on the 53-man roster.
S Another individual with whom the Lions would likely like to develop a relationship over time is Ian Kennally.
LB Anthony Pittman is a reliable special-teams linebacker who is capable of providing backup if the Lions require it.
Overtime Colby Sorsdal: The Lions may not be entirely surrendering in this situation, similar to Martin. They may be interested in determining whether they can extract something from him.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with the author’s consent.

Bold Lions Trade Proposal Involves Multiple Draft Picks for $21M All-Pro Talent

The Detroit Lions are riding a wave of momentum after a resurgent 2024 season that saw them reach the NFC Championship Game. Now, as they look to push themselves into true Super Bowl contention, a bold trade idea has emerged—one that would require general manager Brad Holmes to give up multiple draft picks in exchange for a $21 million-per-year All-Pro playmaker.

According to league insiders and emerging speculation from NFL analysts, the Lions are eyeing a high-profile trade to bolster a specific area of the roster. The rumored target? An established, high-impact All-Pro talent who commands a hefty salary—but could be the missing piece that takes Detroit from contender to champion.

While the identity of the player hasn’t been officially confirmed, several sources point to players such as Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Joey Bosa, New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore, or Denver Broncos wideout Courtland Sutton as possible fits. Each is an All-Pro caliber player with a contract in the $20–$22 million range.

The Lions have the draft capital and cap flexibility to swing such a deal. With a strong 2025 draft class looming, the idea of parting with a first- and third-round pick—or even a first and a future second—is not out of the question for a front office looking to maximize its competitive window.

Detroit’s biggest needs entering the 2025 season include adding a dominant pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson, a lockdown cornerback to elevate the secondary, or a proven outside receiver to complement Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. The right All-Pro could immediately change the makeup of this team.

The idea of parting with multiple picks may make some fans uneasy, but Brad Holmes has built enough goodwill to make a bold move. His past draft success—including home runs with Penei Sewell, Aidan Hutchinson, and Jahmyr Gibbs—gives the Lions some breathing room to be aggressive.

Sheila Ford Hamp and the Lions’ ownership group have also signaled a willingness to spend in recent seasons. Committing to a $21 million salary wouldn’t be out of step with their vision for long-term success, especially given the relatively cheap contracts held by many of the team’s offensive stars.

From a cap standpoint, Detroit is well-positioned. Jared Goff’s new contract is structured to be manageable in its early years, and key players like St. Brown and Sewell are locked in, making this the perfect time to absorb a big-money veteran before major extensions start to strain flexibility.

Head coach Dan Campbell has consistently emphasized physicality and leadership in his locker room, and a move for an All-Pro who fits that culture would likely be welcomed by players. The Lions are a win-now team, and Campbell has made it clear that he wants fighters—not projects.

If the Lions were to acquire a player like Joey Bosa, they would instantly form one of the league’s most feared pass-rushing duos. Pairing Bosa with Hutchinson would force opposing quarterbacks into hurried decisions and make life easier for the defensive backs.

On the other hand, a trade for Marshon Lattimore would stabilize a Lions secondary that has shown improvement but still needs an elite corner to anchor it. Lattimore’s experience and shutdown ability would give Aaron Glenn’s defense the versatility it has lacked against elite passing teams.

Even a splash at wide receiver—such as trading for a player like Courtland Sutton—would transform the offense. With Goff at the helm and Ben Johnson returning as offensive coordinator, adding a reliable deep threat could unlock new layers of Detroit’s already potent attack.

Of course, any trade involving multiple picks comes with risk. The draft is the lifeblood of a sustainable franchise, and giving up high-value selections for a veteran can backfire if the player declines or is injured. But in Detroit’s case, the window to win is open now, and waiting might not be the best option.

Brad Holmes has shown a calculated, measured approach to roster building. If he pulls the trigger on such a deal, it will be with full confidence that the move accelerates Detroit’s trajectory rather than derailing it.

Lions fans are already buzzing at the possibility. Many view this as a new era for the franchise—one where bold decisions are no longer reckless gambles but strategic moves rooted in a clear vision. “This isn’t the same old Lions,” one fan tweeted. “This is a team ready to go all in.”

The success of recent trades around the league—like the Rams acquiring Matthew Stafford or the 49ers landing Christian McCaffrey—has shown that big swings can pay off when the timing is right. For Detroit, the moment might be now.

The NFC remains wide open. While teams like the 49ers, Eagles, and Cowboys remain strong, there is no invincible juggernaut. A single difference-maker on either side of the ball could be enough to tip the scales in Detroit’s favor.

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes
Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODA

And it’s not just about wins. A marquee trade would send a powerful message to the locker room and the fan base: that the Lions are no longer rebuilding. They are here to win—and win big.

As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on the front office. Whether or not the trade materializes, the very fact that it’s being considered shows how far Detroit has come. A team that once settled for mediocrity is now thinking like a champion.

And if Holmes does make the move? The roar in Detroit won’t just come from Ford Field. It’ll echo across the league.

Inside Coverage: Has the Detroit Lions’ window for the Super Bowl closed?

Inside Coverage: Has the Detroit Lions’ window for the Super Bowl closed?
The brief response is that the window has not been closed.

The more detailed response: It is undoubtedly in a more precarious situation than it was during the previous season.

For what reason?

Jason Fitz and Frank Schwab categorized it into three components:

Key departures and changes: The Lions have lost several significant players, such as the retiring All-Pro center Frank Ragnow and guard Kevin Zeitler, both their offensive and defensive coordinators, and a number of position instructors. This season, two of the five members of their premier offensive line from the previous season have departed.

The “erosion” effect: Fitz and Schwab concur that the Lions are still a Super Bowl contender with a strong roster, but they emphasize that these gradual losses — the “little erosions,” as Frank phrased it — can deplete a team. It is not a single catastrophic event; rather, it is a collection of changes that, when combined, impede the process of ascending to the summit.

“You lose your defensive coordinator, you lose your offensive coordinator, and everyone is one year older.” You will experience the same degree of injury fate as you did. Their agenda is more demanding. This year, their schedule is among the most challenging in the NFL. Schwab elaborated, “Two-fifths of your offensive line has disappeared from the previous year.” “It is merely a few minor erosions that transform us from the No. 1 seed in the NFC, with a 15-2 record, to the third seed in the NFC, with an 11-6 record.” Suddenly, you glance up and declare, “That concludes our Super Bowl window.”

A more challenging environment: The Lions are confronted with one of the most challenging schedules in the NFL this season, as well as a significantly enhanced NFC North division that includes the Bears, Packers, and Vikings, all of whom have genuine playoff aspirations. Fitz and Schwab engaged in a discussion regarding which team they would select to win the division. Fitz indicated that he would favor the field over the Lions at this time.

The Lions are not entirely eliminated from contention; they maintain a talented roster; however, the margin for error is significantly diminished. The likelihood of a repeat of the previous season is very low due to the numerous changes and more challenging circumstances.

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