Lions signing linebacker in Jack Campbell injury fallout

· New York Post

The Lions are making a move at linebacker.

The team is expected to sign Owen Pappoe to their practice squad pending a physical, per CBS Sports, after star linebacker Jack Campbell suffered a scary neck injury on Sunday.

Pappoe, 26, was selected by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and recorded 27 tackles and two pass defenses for them while appearing in all 17 games last season.

Owen Pappoe of the Arizona Cardinals stands on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Glendale, Ariz., on Sept. 25, 2025. Getty Images
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (47) is carted off the field after an injury during a game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Pappoe, a former captain at Auburn, was entering the final season of his four-year contract with Arizona when they let him go as one of their final cuts after the preseason. The Titans claimed him the following day, but released him a month ago before Pappoe visited the Lions on Tuesday. Pappoe will also add depth on special teams.

The move comes as the Lions’ linebacker room deals with long-term injuries to Campbell, who is out indefinitely, and Jimmy Rolder, who was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with what was officially announced as a season-ending hamstring injury.

Head coach Dan Campbell seems optimistic about the depth the Lions possess at linebacker.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. AP Photo/Paul Sancya

“Luckily we have some depth in there with [Malcolm Rodriguez] and Nowaske and Barnes,” Dan Campbell said. “Those three guys and Amen [Ogbongbemiga]’s been up for us, which is good. And then we’ve got Bachie ready to roll.

“So, we may need a little bit of help. We’re looking at everything. We’ll adjust as we go. Brad [Holmes] and I will get together here this afternoon, tomorrow and figure some of this out.”

Jack Campbell was taken off the field on a backboard following a serious neck injury during Sunday’s contest against the Vikings. The team says his condition is “improving” as of Tuesday.