By Moses Joshua 
Detroit regains a key piece on defense as the playoff push intensifies.
Rodriguez’s Return Brings Momentum Back to Detroit
After weeks of defensive attrition and frustrating setbacks, the Detroit Lions finally received a long-awaited boost. On Tuesday, the team announced that linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez has been activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list — signaling his official return to the field for the first time in almost a year.
Rodriguez’s comeback arrives at a critical moment. The versatile 26-year-old, known for his instincts, physicality, and special teams value, has not played since tearing his ACL last Thanksgiving. His recovery has been deliberate and demanding, but now, with Detroit preparing for the most pivotal stretch of its schedule, he’s back in uniform and ready to rejoin a defense that sorely needs reinforcements.
Why Rodriguez Matters Now More Than Ever
Before his injury, Rodriguez was carving out a meaningful role. Last season, he recorded 43 tackles, two sacks, and a pass defensed in 10 games, showcasing his ability to impact the game both in the box and in space.
Detroit’s defense has endured a wave of injuries in 2025 — particularly in the secondary — and the return of a trusted, scheme-savvy linebacker provides both stability and flexibility. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, one of Rodriguez’s strongest advocates, made his thoughts clear long before the injury slowed his trajectory.
“Malcolm Rodriguez is a starter in my mind,” Sheppard said last season, via MLive.com. “He’s a starting-caliber linebacker, and now he’s ascending to a place where a lot of people are viewing him on the topper end of linebackers of the league when you really watch him play.”
But Rodriguez’s impact isn’t limited to the defense. His work on special teams has been repeatedly praised, with coordinator Dave Fipp emphasizing how his presence elevates everyone around him.
“Anytime you get a good player back, that obviously helps the whole group,” Fipp said via SI.com. “The better player that’s out there, the less load everyone else has to carry.”
Whether he’s eased back in or quickly reintroduced to the rotation, Rodriguez’s versatility ensures the Lions gain depth and reliability across multiple units.
Lions Seek Stability After Tumultuous Stretch
Detroit is entering unfamiliar territory. For the first time in several seasons, the Lions have slipped out of the playoff bracket following their recent loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. At 6–4, the team’s margin for error has tightened significantly.
They now turn their focus to a struggling New York Giants squad, but even with a favorable matchup ahead, head coach Dan Campbell believes the Lions have yet to reach anything close to their potential — especially on offense.
Campbell, who recently took over play-calling duties from John Morton, admitted some of his own decisions contributed to the Week 11 loss.
Still, his message remains consistent:
“I feel like we still have not quite played our best game,” Campbell said via MLive.com. “You just want to feel like all three units contributed and really complemented each other.”
A Timely Reinforcement for a Crucial Stretch
As Detroit pushes toward December football, health and depth are becoming increasingly valuable commodities. Malcolm Rodriguez’s return doesn’t just add another linebacker — it returns a trusted, high-energy playmaker whose presence strengthens both the defense and special teams.
For a team searching for momentum, identity, and consistency, his comeback could not have aligned at a better time.
Rodriguez is back — and the Lions are better for it.