The Lions placed Rodriguez (knee) on injured reserve Saturday. As expected, Rodriguez will finish the 2024 season on injured reserve after he tore his ACL during the Lions' win over the Bears on Thursday. Ezekiel Turner, Kwon Alexander and Ben Niemann are all candidates to start at linebacker alongside Trevor Nowaske and Jack Campbell due to Rodriguez's injury.
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Status
IR - Knee - ACL - Surgery Expected Return: 2025-02-10Latest Malcolm Rodriguez news
Team
Detroit Lions
Birthdate
3/29/1999 (25)
Status
Injured Reserve
HT/WT
5'11", 234 lbs
Draft Info
2022: Rd 6; Pk (DET)
Birthplace
Tahlequah, OK, USA
Position
LB
College
Oklahoma State
Experience
3 seasons
Career History
Detroit Lions
2022-Present
(3 seasons)
-
TOT 4.7SACK 0.2SOLO 3.3AST 1.5INT 0.0TFL 0.2
-
Full season projectionsTOT 60.0SACK 3.5SOLO 37.3AST 22.7
The Lions placed Rodriguez (knee) on injured reserve Saturday. As expected, Rodriguez will finish the 2024 season on injured reserve after he tore his ACL during the Lions' win over the Bears on Thursday. Ezekiel Turner, Kwon Alexander and Ben Niemann are all candidates to start at linebacker alongside Trevor Nowaske and Jack Campbell due to Rodriguez's injury.
Rodriguez had an MRI that revealed a torn ACL in his knee, and his season is over, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, Rodriguez will have surgery to repair the ACL when his swelling subsides. The third-year pro ends his season with 43 tackles (27 solo), including 2.0 sacks, and a defensed pass. Ezekiel Turner could move into a starting role in Rodriguez's stead, though that responsibility may go to Kwon Alexander, who Detroit added off Denver's practice squad Friday.
Rodriguez suffered a knee injury during Sunday's game against the Bears. Rodriguez remained down on the field in the fourth quarter while holding his right knee but was able to make it to the sideline under his own power. If he's unable to return, he'll finish Week 13 with five tackles and one pass defense.
Rodriguez tallied eight tackles (seven solo) Sunday in Detroit's win over the Colts. Rodriguez saw increased playing time Sunday with both Alex Anzalone (forearm) and Derrick Barnes (knee) on injured reserve, and he ended up having his most productive game of the campaign. Rodriguez's eight tackles not only led the team, but they also served as a new season high for the 25-year-old. He will likely continue to serve as the team's starting linebacker while Anzalone and Barnes remain sidelined.
Rodriguez (ankle) was a full practice participant Thursday. An ankle injury has prevented Rodriguez from playing in the Lions' last two regular-season games, but his ability to practice in full Thursday indicates the 2022 sixth-round pick should be able to make his return against the Jaguars on Sunday. In the six games prior to his ankle injury, Rodriguez logged 26 tackles (16 solo), including 2.0 sacks, and one fumble recovery.
Rodriguez (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Rodriguez has been sidelined for the Lions' last two regular-season games after spraining his ankle in Week 8 against the Titans. Wednesday marked the first time he has been able to practice since the injury, and he'll have two more chances to increase his participation ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
Rodriguez (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Texans. Rodriguez will miss his second straight game, allowing Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell to handle the bulk of the linebacker snaps for Detroit. Rodriguez's absence will mainly be felt on special teams.
Rodriguez (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday. Rodriguez was sidelined for the Lions' Week 9 win over the Packers after sustaining an ankle injury the week prior, and Wednesday's DNP suggests he could be in jeopardy of missing even more time. If the second-year linebacker cannot upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday, he'll likely miss his second game in a row in Week 10's matchup against the Texans.
Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters Friday that Rodriguez (ankle) won't play in Sunday's matchup against the Packers, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports. The second-year linebacker didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday after sustaining an ankle injury in the Lions' Week 8 win over the Titans, so it's no surprise that he'll be sidelined in Week 9. Expect Trevor Nowaske or Jalen Reeves-Maybin to see increased work with Detroit's first-team defense in Rodriguez's stead.