Where does Jack Campbell’s injury stand? Medical expert weighs in after crucial update

Jack Campbell says he has full movement in his lower body and is making progress with movement in his upper body after a neck injury during the Lions’ game against Minnesota. A spine surgeon said the improvement is encouraging, but the precise injury and its severity remain unclear, so his long-term recovery cannot yet be predicted.

The surgeon said Campbell may have central cord syndrome, in which a neck injury affects the centre of the spinal cord and can cause greater weakness in the arms than the legs. He described the injury as appearing incomplete, with the cord intact, but said recovery could take weeks, months or longer as swelling subsides and Campbell begins rehabilitation. The 26-year-old was injured while tackling tight end TJ Hockenson in Detroit’s 19-15 win; the Lions are 5-2 and play Miami on Sunday.