Barnes (knee) said Wednesday that he's not ruling out a return from injured reserve later this season, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. Barnes has been sidelined since the Lions' win over the Cardinals in Week 3, when he sustained injuries to his MCL and PCL. While he indicated he has a chance to play again in 2024, his odds of doing so would appear to be slim. Through the first three games of the season, the fourth-year linebacker recorded 10 tackles and one pass breakups across 114 defensive snaps.
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Status
IR - Knee - MCL - Not Specified Expected Return: 2025-01-12Latest Derrick Barnes news
Team
Detroit Lions
Birthdate
5/29/1999 (25)
Status
Injured Reserve
HT/WT
6'0", 240 lbs
Draft Info
2021: Rd 4; Pk (DET)
Birthplace
Covington, KY, USA
Position
LB
College
Purdue
Experience
4 seasons
Career History
Detroit Lions
2021-Present
(4 seasons)
Barnes (knee) said Wednesday that he's not ruling out a return from injured reserve later this season, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. Barnes has been sidelined since the Lions' win over the Cardinals in Week 3, when he sustained injuries to his MCL and PCL. While he indicated he has a chance to play again in 2024, his odds of doing so would appear to be slim. Through the first three games of the season, the fourth-year linebacker recorded 10 tackles and one pass breakups across 114 defensive snaps.
Head coach Dan Campbell said Monday that the team will be fortunate to get Barnes (knee) back at any point this season, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports. Barnes was placed on injured reserve Sept. 24 after suffering the knee injury in Week 3 against the Cardinals. Although the details of his injury are not known, it has been mentioned previously by Campbell that Barnes would miss a significant amount of time.
The Lions placed Barnes (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday. Barnes will miss at least Detroit's next four games due to a knee injury sustained in Sunday's 20-13 win over the Cardinals. Coach Dan Campbell alluded to a significant recovery timetable for Barnes, so it's possible the starting linebacker could be out longer. Malcolm Rodriguez played a season-high 87 percent of defensive snaps Week 3 and figures to continue handling an expanded role versus the Seahawks on Sunday.
Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters Monday that Barnes (knee) will miss "a significant amount of time," Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports. Barnes was carted off during the second quarter of Sunday's win with a knee injury, and following Campbell's comments Monday, it appears Barnes won't be returning to the field anytime soon. Campbell also told reporters that the Lions are searching for second opinions on Barnes' knee, but the 25-year-old is expected to be placed on injured reserve and miss significant time regardless, per Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News.
The Lions downgraded Barnes (knee) to out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Cardinals. Barnes was carted to the locker room in the first half, so this was the logical endgame for the linebacker. Jack Campbell and Malcolm Rodriguez are likely to soak up the snaps for Detroit in the linebacker corps.
Barnes exited Sunday's game against the Cardinals with a knee injury and is questionable to return, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports. Barnes had to be carted to the locker room in the second quarter. Prior to leaving, Barnes recorded one tackle (one solo). Starting LB Alex Anzalone (concussion) is already inactive for Week 3. Ben Niemann and Jalen Reeves-Maybin will be next up for snaps at linebacker for Detroit.
Barnes (knee) participated in OTAs Wednesday. Barnes was injured on the first defensive series of the NFC Championship Game against the 49ers and never returned, but the issue clearly wasn't overly serious, and Barnes should be fine for a normal offseason. He started 13 of the 16 games he appeared in last season, finishing with a career-best 81 tackles (42 solo), one sack and one forced fumble on a career-high 705 defensive snaps.