The improving Detroit Lions defense suffered a huge blow in the Week 8 win over previously unbeaten Minnesota. Several defensive starters left the game with injuries, most notably All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell.
The scary injury to Campbell remains foremost in everyone’s minds. As of publication time, there is still no specific diagnosis or clarity on Campbell’s status beyond some purposely vague comments of positivity. For football purposes, it’s unrealistic to expect Captain Jack on the field anytime soon, certainly not in 2026.
On the same play in which Campbell suffered his serious injury, the Lions also lost rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder for the remainder of the season. Rolder’s rookie campaign ends with a serious hamstring injury, just as the fourth-rounder from Michigan was starting to get more comfortable and making more of a positive impact in Detroit’s defense.
The Lions are already without veteran Devin White, too. White was signed this offseason to provide depth and speed, and the one-time All-Pro for the Buccaneers quickly seized the primary backup spot behind Campbell. White can also play some SAM backer, though his extraordinary coverage limitations limit his ability there.
In summary, the Lions are down three linebackers, including the team’s leading tackler and defensive captain. White could conceivably return later this year; White made a social media post on Tuesday that could be an indication he’s beginning his return from I.R. But right now—entering Detroit’s Week 9 matchup with the Miami Dolphins — this is the LB corps for defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard to work with in the coming weeks.
Derrick Barnes
The one constant starter, Barnes gets used in a variety of LB roles. Now 27, Barnes has been a starter for most of the last five seasons, counting a 2024 in which he missed 14 games with injury. He’s a powerful and solid tackler, a pretty good blitzer (3.0 sacks) and has the best positional discipline of any Lions backer, including Campbell.
Range in run defense, initial quickness, and raw foot speed in coverage are all knocks on Barnes, with varying levels of validity. No. 55 is at his best playing in the box and operating behind the strong-side defensive end. Barnes is a much-needed bastion of stability, even if he’s now being asked to play above his range as the team’s top LB.
Malcolm Rodriguez
Rodrigo has probably played less on defense than you might think in 2026. The fifth-year backer averages just 20 snaps per game and didn’t see the field on defense at all in the Week 7 win over the Packers. He’s arguably the Lions’ surest tackler in run defense, a very heady and physical run defender between the tackles.
Coverage is a long-running issue for Rodriguez. He’s better at chipping TEs on their route releases than he is at actually covering them. Spatial awareness and quick reactions in space in coverage, especially zone coverage, are very real issues.
I would expect Rodriguez to continue to play defense almost exclusively against heavier offensive sets (12, 13) and get subbed out on passing downs and lighter personnel packages. He’s been a real positive key special teams contributor, and that should continue regardless of his defensive role.
Trevor Nowaske
Nowaske figures to get the most opportunity to immediately replace Campbell. Now in his fourth season, Nowaske has the athleticism to handle the short-area coverage and blitzing roles that No. 46 operated.
The Saginaw Valley State product has played just over a quarter of Detroit’s defensive snaps in 2026, starting two games. Nowaske likely takes on more of the coverage responsibilities, especially against inline TEs, with both Campbell and Rolder out of the lineup. He’s smaller than ideal to be a take-on run stuffer, and getting off blocks is not always Nowaske’s strong suit. Like Rodriguez, Nowaske has proven to be an indispensable special teams player, though the Lions do now have more viable options to fill that role than the vacancies on defense.
Amen Ogbongbemiga
The former Bears and Chargers reserve effectively won Detroit’s crowded battle royale of special teams-only LBs in training camp this summer. He’s yet to play a single defensive snap in his first season with the Lions despite proving quite valuable on special teams.
In his very limited defensive work in the NFL prior to 2026, the 230-pound Ogbongbemiga played as a run-stuffing inside backer in base 3-4 defenses. Like his Oklahoma State college teammate Rodriguez, Ogbongbemiga hasn’t shown the speed or acumen to reliably handle coverage assignments beyond what’s directly in front of him at the snap.
K.J. Britt
Signed Monday off the New England Patriots’ practice squad, Britt has only played in one regular-season game this year. The 27-year-old does have several seasons of NFL experience, mostly with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A fifth-round pick in 2021 out of Auburn, Britt has spent all but one season of his career as a special-teams specialist. Only once, his final season with the Bucs in 2024, has Britt played more than 15 percent of the defensive snaps in any season. In that ‘24 season, the stocky (he’s 6-0/245) backer was the lowest-graded linebacker by Pro Football Focus of 53 LBs who played at least 600 snaps. Britt should be expected to take on Rolder’s role on special teams and little more.
Joe Bachie
Currently on the Lions practice squad, Bachie has made special teams-only appearances in two games for Detroit this season. During training camp and preseason, the 28-year-old NFL journeyman (Detroit is his fifth team in 7 years) did show some click-and-close ability in zone coverage and a smart nose for the football. If he’s promoted to the active roster, expect him to back up Nowaske and perhaps take on some of No. 53’s special teams duties.
