According to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez is expected to return to practice this week in the lead up to the team’s Week 9 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Rodriguez is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list after suffering a torn ACL in last year’s Thanksgiving game against the Buffalo Bills. And while he’ll be practicing for the first time in nearly a calendar year this week, don’t expect him to play right away.
“He is targeting a mid-November return, that’s my understanding,” Schultz said.
Rodriguez’s return comes at a pretty good time for the team. They just placed reserve linebacker Zach Cunningham on injured reserve, yet they are still deep enough at the position to withstand Rodriguez needing a few weeks to get in football shape. Detroit’s starters—Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, and Derrick Barnes—are all playing at a high level, and Detroit is getting good subpackage and special teams play from the likes of Grant Stuard and Trevor Nowaske.
However, when Rodriguez returns, he gives the Lions a versatile defender who can play all three linebacker positions and contribute on all four phases of special teams. Last year, Rodriguez played in 10 games, started six, and finished with 43 tackles, 2.0 sacks, a pass defended, and an additional 142 snaps on special teams.
While this news has yet to be confirmed by the team, Lions coach Dan Campbell hinted at this happening during a press conference a couple of weeks ago.
“We’re hoping after the bye we can start rolling him out there a little bit, get him going,” Campbell said.
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