By Mummy Grace 
Alex Anzalone’s Status for Week 18 Game Against Vikings: Will He Play?
The Detroit Lions’ Week 18 game against the Minnesota Vikings is shaping up to be a crucial one. And linebacker Alex Anzalone is pushing hard to be ready for the game, but the decision on whether he’ll actually suit up could come down to the last minute.
Talking It Over with the Trainers and Docs
On Thursday, Anzalone opened up about the decision-making process and explained how it’ll all come down to what he and the medical team decide together. He’s been chatting with the docs and trainers about what’s at stake, especially as he recovers from that broken forearm.
“The docs and trainers, they go through the risks,” Anzalone said. “It’s all about waiting it out—maybe a week, two weeks. It’s just about testing it out, seeing how it feels over time.”
The Big Personal Decision: Is It Worth It?
At the end of the day, Anzalone’s got to weigh the risks for himself. He’s already thinking about how playing this weekend could affect his chances down the road, especially if the Lions make it to the Super Bowl.
“I’ve got to ask myself, ‘If something happens, would I be okay with not playing in the Super Bowl?’” Anzalone said. “That’s the big decision I have to make—figuring out if it’s worth it and how I feel in the next few practices.”
Can He Get Back Out There Safely?
It’s been six weeks since Anzalone last practiced, and he knows there’s only so much his forearm can take. Even though it’s been reinforced with a steel plate, he’s still unsure about how it’ll hold up when things get physical during a game.
He admitted that even though he was listed as a full participant in Thursday’s practice, it wasn’t a padded session, so he didn’t get a full test of how his arm would handle real game action. “I haven’t tackled anyone yet,” he said. “I’ve done some drills, but it’s not the same as going full speed in a game.”
How’s Anzalone Feeling Now?
As Anzalone gets ready for the final stretch of practice before the Vikings game, he’s all about listening to his body. “It’s just one of those things where you gotta see how it feels,” he said.
The Lions have a huge game ahead, and Anzalone is all-in on helping his team, but he’s also staying smart about the future. Whether or not he’ll be out there on Sunday could make a big difference in the NFC North race, and the next few days will be key in deciding if the Lions have their captain on the field for the biggest game of the year.