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Lions signing linebacker in Jack Campbell injury fallout
The Detroit Lions are expected to add linebacker Owen Pappoe to their practice squad, pending a physical, as injuries leave the position short of options. The move matters because Jack Campbell is out indefinitely after a serious neck injury, while Jimmy Rolder has been placed on injured reserve with a season-ending hamstring injury.
Pappoe, 26, was a fifth-round pick by Arizona in 2023 and made 27 tackles and two pass defences across all 17 games last season. The Cardinals released him after pre-season cuts; Tennessee claimed him, then let him go last month, and he visited Detroit on Tuesday. He is also expected to provide special teams depth. Jack Campbell was taken from Sunday’s game against Minnesota on a backboard, and the Lions said his condition was improving on Tuesday; head coach Dan Campbell cited several other available linebackers as the team reviews its options.
In short
- Detroit are expected to sign Owen Pappoe to their practice squad.
- Jack Campbell is out indefinitely with a neck injury.
- Jimmy Rolder is on injured reserve with a season-ending hamstring injury.
Explained simply
The Detroit Lions are a team in the National Football League (NFL), where linebackers help defend against both running and passing plays. They also contribute on special teams, the units used for kick-offs, punts and field-goal attempts.
Jack Campbell is one of the Lions’ linebackers, and Jimmy Rolder is another. Injuries to both have reduced the team’s available options at the position, so Detroit may look to players outside its regular squad for cover.
Owen Pappoe is a 26-year-old linebacker who entered the NFL in 2023 and has played for the Arizona Cardinals. A practice squad is a group of players a club can call on to train and potentially join its matchday squad; additions can help provide depth when injuries leave a position short.