Updated November 1, 2026, 6:46 p.m. ET
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell was injured in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
He and rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder went down after a tackle, and although Rolder eventually left alone accompanied by a trainer, Campbell remained motionless on the Ford Field turf for more than 10 minutes as he prepared to be taken away on a stretcher.
Campbell’s head appeared to collide with Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson’s left hip, and the All-Pro linebacker fell to the ground.
The crowd at Ford Field fell silent as players and staff from both teams took a knee on the field.
Campbell was taken to the hospital with a neck injury, the Lions said. Lions coach Dan Campbell addressed the linebacker’s health during his postgame press conference, but said he had no new updates on his situation.
He led the Lions with 54 tackles during their 4-2 start.
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Rolder was doubtful to return with a hamstring injury.
The Lions earned a hard-fought 19-15 victory to hand Minnesota its first loss.
The Lions entered the game as healthy as they have been all season, but also lost starting safety Brian Branch and defensive end DJ Wonnum in a scary collision in the second quarter. Both came away with brain injuries after entering the concussion protocol.
The Lions then saw starting cornerback DJ Reed leave on the next defensive drive due to a hip injury.
Here’s what we know and the latest news regarding Jack Campbell’s injury:
Campbell alert and breathing as he left the game
The Lions linebacker, removed from Sunday’s game, was breathing and alert when he was transported from Ford Field to a local hospital, according to Dave Birkett of the Free Press.
Aidan Hutchinson describes the ‘roller coaster’ of emotions
Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson was seen on the field giving a tear-filled speech to his teammates following Campbell’s injury. After the match, he described the emotions he felt at that moment.
“I was filled with a lot of emotion,” he said. “We were more united than ever before that game. And when you go out, it’s a strange dynamic, between football being a game, and then coming out of it and seeing a guy being taken away, and then coming back into it. Riding that roller coaster, it’s a little foreign, for sure.”
Derrick Barnes on Jack Campbell’s injury
Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes shared how he felt after seeing Campbell leave the field with a serious neck injury.
“At times like this, forget about football, it’s about the person. Football is the last thing on my mind. When it happened, it was all about Jack,” he said after the match. “Take away football, all that. It’s about him and his family, and anything I can (do) to be there for him, I will be.”
Dan Campbell provides update on Jack Campbell
Lions coach Dan Campbell provided an update on Jack Campbell during his post-game press conference.
“Thoughts and prayers are with Jack and his family,” he said. “He’s in care. We don’t have any new information. We’ll keep you updated as it happens, but we’re thinking about him. We’re thinking about him.”
Jack Campbell’s injury is to his neck
“Jack Campbell is being transported to a local hospital to be evaluated for a neck injury,” the Lions announced at 3:55 p.m. ET, late in the fourth quarter.
Lions LB Depth Chart
Without Campbell, the Lions have veterans Trevor Nowaske, who grew up a Lions fan in Michigan, and Malcolm Rodriguez, as well as Rolder, a fourth-round rookie from Michigan. Derrick Barnes is the Lions’ other starting linebacker.
The Vikings stopped the Lions, then drove down the field and scored a touchdown and a 2-point conversion for a 15-12 lead with 8:44 to play. The Lions also lost Reed on the drive and the Vikings made them pay. But the Lions defense was shut down on the next possession, preserving the lead the offense had just taken.
How was Jack Campbell injured? Video of the injury
Here is the video of the injury. This appeared to show Campbell retreating into the tackle.
Lions defense joins sideline prayer
After the fourth stop, the Lions defense was seen on the sideline, standing in prayer following Campbell’s injury.
Jack Campbell injury update
Campbell was tied to a backboard and transported after about 10 minutes.
The play occurred on third down with 14:48 left in the fourth quarter and the Lions led 12-7. Aidan Hutchinson was seen teary-eyed in the huddle, then pressured Kyler Murray to cause an incompletion, giving the ball back to the Lions at their own 25-yard line.
Who is Jack Campbell on the Lions?
Campbell was the Lions’ No. 18 overall pick in 2023 out of Iowa.
Campbell, a 2025 first-team All-Pro selection, is considered one of the best off-ball linebackers in the NFL and is currently one of the highest paid.
Jack Campbell contract
The Lions signed Campbell, 26, in May to a four-year contract worth $81 million, including $51.4 million guaranteed, keeping him in Detroit through the 2030 season.
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
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