Updated November 8, 2026, 3:38 p.m. ET
The Detroit Lions took the field in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins without a key member of their defense – Jack Campbell.
This is the Lions’ first game since the linebacker suffered a gruesome neck injury during the team’s Week 8 win over the Minnesota Vikings. The injury left Campbell immobile on the field before being carried off the field on a backboard as his teammates looked on emotionally.
Campbell released a statement about his condition on Wednesday, November 4. He said he has movement in his lower body and is making progress toward regaining movement in his upper body. This was an encouraging update that went beyond the generic updates provided earlier in the week.
On November 7, the Lions announced they were placing the linebacker on injured reserve. It’s a reminder that Campbell has a long road to recovery, but he remains committed to getting back on the field, according to CBS Sports’ Melanie Collins.
“He’s determined to get back on that football field, telling Dan Campbell, ‘Just make sure the house is taken care of until I can get back,'” Collins reported during the CBS broadcast of the game.
As for his teammates, they return to work without him. Here’s what you need to know about Campbell and the latest on his condition.
Is Jack Campbell still in the hospital?
Campbell remains hospitalized, but continues to improve, according to CBS Sports’ Melanie Collins. Collins said on the pregame show that Campbell said that while he didn’t want tears or sympathy, he wanted to get back on the field.
Campbell thanked his caregivers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and the Detroit Lions medical staff on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Lions wear Jack Campbell jersey for Week 9 game
Several Lions players honored Campbell before the team’s Week 9 contest by wearing his jersey at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins.
Linebackers Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez and KJ Britt were among the players wearing Campbell’s jersey. Kelvin Sheppard, the Lions’ defensive coordinator, also wore jersey No. 46.
Check out the photos:
What is Jack Campbell’s condition?
Campbell announced in a statement Nov. 4 that he had full movement in his lower body. He continues to progress in upper body movements.
This was the first concrete update on Campbell’s condition since the injury on Sunday, November 1. Prior to Campbell’s statement, the team released more general updates, saying preliminary results were positive.
Is Jack Campbell paralyzed?
Campbell appears to have avoided the worst fears that immediately followed his injury, as his updates indicate he has avoided complete paralysis from the neck down. Campbell said he has “full movement in my lower body” and is working to regain upper body movement as part of his recovery.
Latest injury update on Jack Campbell
Jack Campbell was placed on injured reserve, the Lions announced on November 7.
The linebacker announced in a release Nov. 4 that he had full movement in his lower body and continued to progress in his upper body movement.
Dan Campbell previously provided a small update on Jack Campbell’s status during a radio appearance on Tuesday, November 3 on 97.1 The Ticket.
“It’s not easy because he’s always going to be on our minds here,” Dan Campbell said of Jack Campbell, talking about the Lions’ preparation for Week 9. “The good news is he’s getting better.”
The Lions coach made it clear that he is informing his players about Jack Campbell’s status through the team captains.
“I’m thinking about him – knowing he’s getting better, and I kept the captains informed, and they let the other guys know it was good news,” Dan Campbell said, referring to how the players were reacting to the situation. “I think it helps everyone deal with all of this better.”
Campbell also added that he was trying to keep his players focused on their upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins, expressing concern that “bad things can happen” if the players are not able to carry out their responsibilities during the game.
What happened to Jack Campbell?
Campbell suffered a neck injury after confronting Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson.
He remained on the ground while training staff and medical staff surrounded him and a cart arrived. Campbell was loaded onto a backboard before the cart took him off the field. He was transported to a local hospital to be evaluated for a neck injury after leaving the team’s Week 8 win over the Vikings.
The Lions announced Sunday evening that Campbell was resting and expected to spend the night at a local hospital for continued evaluation and monitoring.
Does Jack Campbell have central cord syndrome?
Campbell’s medical diagnosis has not yet been made public. Medical experts contacted by USA TODAY highlighted the uniqueness of Campbell’s post-injury symptoms, saying a delay in recovery of upper body movement could be associated with central cord syndrome. This is a rare condition, common in people with spinal injuries that fall forward, land on the forehead, and extend backwards, similar to the action exhibited by Campbell’s head and neck at the time of impact.
“I think it’s great news (if it’s central cord syndrome) because it’s an incomplete spinal cord injury,” said neurosurgeon Dr. Betsy Grunch, “and if he’s already recovering as quickly as expected, then it’s entirely possible he could make a full recovery.”
Statement from Jack Campbell
Jack Campbell released a statement, via the Lions’ X account, on November 4. Here it is in its entirety:
My family and I would like to sincerely thank everyone for the overwhelming amount of love, prayers and support we have received over the past few days. It means more to us than words can express.
I am incredibly encouraged by the progress I have made in such a short time. I have full movement in my lower body and I continue to progress in my upper body movements. I know there is still work to do, but I remain very optimistic. I’m taking things one day at a time, staying positive and focusing on getting better.
My faith in God has never been stronger. I know He has a plan for me and I trust that plan. I know there may be challenges ahead, but with my faith, my family, and so many people by my side, I know we will get through this.
I would particularly like to thank the sports coaches and medical staff who responded and took care of me on the field. I know these were difficult times and I am incredibly grateful for the professionalism, compassion and care you showed me. The way you handled everything and took care of me when I needed it the most is something I will never forget. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
I also can’t say enough about the incredible care I received from the medical team at Henry Ford Hospital and the Detroit Lions medical staff. They have been wonderful to me and my family throughout this process, and I am truly grateful for everything they have done.
To my teammates, coaches and everyone in the Lions organization, I want you to know how much I love and appreciate you. This team is family to me, and the way everyone has been there for me means everything. I’m proud to be a Detroit Lion and couldn’t ask to be surrounded by a better group of people.
One thing I’ve learned about Detroit is that this city is built on strength, resilience and courage. This is exactly how I am going to approach this challenge.
Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers. We feel love and I can’t thank everyone enough.
God is good. My faith is strong.
Jack Campbell
Who is Jack Campbell?
Campbell is a linebacker for the Detroit Lions.
The 26-year-old is in his fourth season in the NFL, all with Detroit. The Lions drafted Campbell with the 18th pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft after he played in college for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
A native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Campbell broke out during his junior season with the Hawkeyes, totaling 143 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a sack in 2021. Returning for his senior season, Campbell was named an All-American in 2022 and received the Butkus Award as college football’s top linebacker.
He was also awarded the William V. Campbell Trophy, also known as the “Academic Heisman”, in 2022 for being recognized as the college football player with the best combination of academics, leadership and on-field performance.
Campbell became a key part of the Lions’ defense after arriving in the NFL. However, it didn’t officially break out until its third season. Campbell recorded 176 total tackles, three forced fumbles and five sacks en route to being named a first-team All-Pro and earning his first Pro Bowl appearance last season.
On May 21, 2026, the Lions recognized Campbell’s breakout with a four-year, $81 million extension.
Jack Campbell to receive Iowa’s game ball
The former Hawkeye was honored by his former head coach, Kirk Ferentz, after Iowa’s win over Northwestern on Nov. 7, when it was announced that Campbell would receive a game ball.
“All the feedback has been really positive,” Ferentz said, via HawkCentral, part of the USA TODAY Network. “Hearing some encouraging news, it’s going to be a – I don’t know how long – but it’s moving in the right direction. I thought it was really appropriate to give him a ball and we’ll get it to him.”
Ferentz quickly joked that it was a good thing Iowa took care of business with a 24-10 victory, since the alternative could have ruined the moment.
“I’m glad I won, because otherwise you’re kind of screwed, you know?” » joked Ferentz. “It screws everything up.”
Eric Larsen contributed to this report.
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