The Detroit Lions will be without their leading tackler against the New Orleans Saints.
On Saturday afternoon, it was announced linebacker Alex Anzalone would not be traveling with the team and would be unavailable to take on the New Orleans Saints.
The veteran linebacker did not practice all week and also welcomed the arrival of his second child.
Kelvin Sheppard, Detroit’s linebackers coach, wants those playing linebacker this week to force Anzalone into returning, as they may excel and take his job or force the coaches to reduce his playing time.
“I’m not going to sleight this like we didn’t lose anything. But like I told the room, we should take a step up. That’s just the way I’m wired, the way I’m built. To have Alex say, ‘Oh wait, I got to get back…’ That’s when you create that environment where everyone is (elevating each other), versus everyone sitting back and saying, ‘I hope we get through this.’ No, no, no, no,” Sheppard said. “We’re going to raise the pressure on Alex. You better hurry back, because these guys are about to ball.”
In 2023, the former Saints linebacker has recorded 87 tackles, nine quarterback hits and three sacks.
After signing a long-term contract extension this past offseason, Anzalone has been flying to the football and feels he is playing with much more ease, due to having the security and trust of the coaching staff.
Detroit will now turn to linebackers Derrick Barnes, Jack Campbell and Malcolm Rodriguez to step up for the defensive captain.
While there has been discussion that Campbell would be donning the green dot, Sheppard made it a point to tell reporters this week multiple players will be making the defensive calls against the Saints.
