Lions’ Malcolm Rodriguez Out Until November After Knee Injury
Malcolm Rodriguez had a solid season stepping up as a backup linebacker for the Detroit Lions, especially after Derrick Barnes went down. In 10 games (6 starts), he racked up 43 tackles, 2 sacks, and even broke up a pass. He was playing pretty well before a knee injury in Week 8 sidelined him for a couple of weeks. He came back for a bit but had to leave again in Week 13 during the game against the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving.
After some tests, the Lions confirmed the bad news — Rodriguez tore his ACL, which means he’s done for the rest of the 2024 season and probably won’t be back until November 2025. That’s a big blow because ACL recovery usually takes around 9 to 12 months. So, he’ll miss the start of next year and likely start the season on the PUP list (Physically Unable to Perform).
Coach Dan Campbell updated the media just before their last spring practice, confirming Rodriguez’s timeline. This means the Lions will have to rely on other linebackers while he recovers.
Speaking of backups, the Lions have a few guys competing for the linebacker spots — players like Zach Cunningham, Trevor Nowaske, Grant Stuard, Ezekiel Turner, Anthony Pittman, and DaRon Gilbert. With their 4-3 defense, the Lions usually keep around 5 to 7 linebackers, so there’s some competition for those spots.
Bottom line: The Lions’ defense is going to have to adjust without Rodriguez for a good part of next season. Let’s see who steps up!
Detroit’s Defense Takes a Hit — Star Linebacker Sidelined Until November
