Jack Campbell carted off on backboard vs. Vikings
Lions linebacker Jack Campbell was carted off on a backboard during Sunday's win over the Vikings and is being evaluated for a neck injury.
Why Jack Campbell is trending
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell was carted off the field on a backboard early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 19-15 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He was taken to a local hospital to be evaluated for a neck injury, and that is why his name is suddenly everywhere in search.
Campbell went down face first on the turf right after making his third tackle of the game, bringing down tight end T.J. Hockenson. He was not moving, and medical staff worked on him on the field for several minutes before deciding to strap him to a backboard rather than let him get up on his own.
The scene on the field
Once Campbell was secured to the board, medical personnel carefully lifted him onto a cart. Detroit's entire team and most of the coaching staff walked over and surrounded the cart before it carried him off the field, and the home crowd gave him a round of applause as he left.
Lions coach Dan Campbell addressed it after the game but said he did not have any additional information on his linebacker's condition at that point. "We're thinking about him," he said.
What is not known yet
There is no word yet on how serious the injury is or how long Campbell might be out. The only confirmed next step is the hospital evaluation itself, and Detroit has not put out any further update on his status beyond that.
Until the team or Campbell's camp says more, anything beyond what happened on the field and the trip to the hospital would be a guess, and this is not the place for one.
Campbell's résumé, and a costly day for Detroit's defense
Campbell has been a building block for this Lions defense since Detroit took him with the No. 18 pick out of Iowa in 2023. Last season he made All-Pro, becoming the first NFL player in seven years to put up at least 150 tackles, five sacks and three forced fumbles in the same season. The Lions signed him to a four-year extension last May that runs through the 2030 season.
He was one of three key Lions defenders banged up in this game. Pass rusher DJ Wonnum and safety Brian Branch were both evaluated for concussions earlier on. Detroit still found a way to win it, with Jared Goff throwing a go-ahead touchdown pass to Williams to beat the Vikings 19-15.
Facts per ESPN, ESPN box score. Opinion is the taproom's.