Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media Saturday two days after the Lions won their 10th straight game and improved to an NFC best 11-1 on the season. Here are all the key questions from Campbell's media session:
What are the injury updates from Thanksgiving?
Campbell confirmed linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez is done for the year after suffering a torn ACL. That's obviously a big loss because Rodriguez was a jack-of-all-trades at the position for this defense. Campbell said Rodriguez will be good to go for the start of next season.
Rookie defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (knee) is also done for the year and will likely need surgery.
Defensive lineman Josh Paschal (knee) and Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring) are considered 'day-to-day' though Campbell didn't feel great about either one being available to play Thursday vs. Green Bay. He said Paschal has a better chance than Onwuzurike for Thursday, but he's not optimistic about either.
Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, who was injured in warmups against Chicago and was inactive, should be good to go Thursday, according to Campbell.
What did Campbell think of his defensive front's ability to generate pressure against the Bears?
Za’Darius Smith (8 pressures), Al-Quadin Muhammad (7) and DJ Reader (7) were able to generate consistent pressure all afternoon. It was only the second game a team has had three players with seven-plus pressures this season per Next Gen Stats. The Lions pressured Bears quarterback Caleb Williams on 17 dropbacks without blitzing.
"It was big the other day," Campbell said. "All-out effort. These guys are doing exactly what they're supposed to be doing. Everybody is on the same page. So, you're getting high effort and you're getting responsibility of your job."
Everyone doing their job allows them to play fast and that's what Campbell said he noticed about that group after watching the tape – they played fast.
What about Muhammad in particular?
"I thought Muhammad was outstanding," Campbell said. "Muhammad was all over the field and just relentless, man."
Muhammad also had a tackle for loss, defended a pass and drew a critical holding penalty on a third down. Campbell said he can never have too many players like Muhammad on the roster - Players who are unselfish, work their craft, will do anything for the team and when they get an opportunity to play, they make the most of it. Campbell was really high on his performance after watching the tape.
View photos from 6-time Grammy nominated artist Shaboozey's Thanksgiving Day Classic halftime show during the Detroit Lions' game vs. Chicago, powered by Verizon.
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
American musician, songwriter, and record producer Shaboozey performs at the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
How does Campbell see the linebacker rotation working out around MIKE LB Jack Campbell with the addition of veteran Kwon Alexander?
Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn know Alexander from their time together in New Orleans and know exactly what he's suited to do and how he might fit in Glenn's defense. He said most of the scheme will be carryover for Alexander. He described the veteran as all energy and a relentless player who can run, hit and will fit the room nicely.
Expect to see Alexander, David Long, Ben Niemann, Ezekiel Turner and Trevor Nowaske all fill in roles at the WILL and SAM spots.
"I think you're going to see every one of those guys play," Campbell said. "And they are going to have a role, and they are all going to contribute on defense for us."
Do the Lions have a chance to get cornerback Carlton Davis III back Thursday vs. Green Bay?
Campbell said the veteran is day-to-day and will be questionable throughout the week after missing the Bears game with a knee injury he suffered against the Colts the game prior.
Campbell thought the secondary as a whole played pretty good without Davis but the one emphasis with that unit this week will be generating takeaways. He thought they had three chances to come away with a takeaway against Chicago and didn't get any.
