Lions' Campbell: Anzalone practicing Friday, but status for Vikings uncertain
FOX 2 - The eyes of the sports world will be on Detroit Sunday night for Lions-Vikings in a tilt that will not only decide the NFC North, but the top seed in the NFC playoffs. The loser of course, ends up with a fifth seed and road playoff game.
At Friday's press conference Lions Coach Dan Campbell said the team is ready to compete and rise to the moment.
"Guys are locked in - we're going to be ready to go," he said. "This is why you're in this business. Players love it, coaches love it great for the organization and it's great for football. I think we embrace the challenge of it, the bright lights of it."
On the injury front, linebacker Alex Anzalone practiced Friday and has had no setbacks since returning to the field this week. It's the first bit of good news for the injury-ravaged defense in quite awhile. Although help is on the way for coordinator Aaron Glenn's unit - it's not clear when to expect him back.
More: Lions begin preparations for Sunday's huge game vs. Vikings
"He's earned enough to be able to practice today," Campbell said. "I thought he looked good enough to practice today. No setbacks and he's going to go out there and move a little bit and that's good."
Anzalone, one of the team's leaders of the defense, has been out since Nov. 17 against the Jaguars when he broke his forearm.
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Campbell said there's a balance to find with getting him acclimated enough before "throwing him into the fire."
"We want him, but we want to be smart too," Campbell said. "We don't want to put him in harm's way. If he's going to play it's because we know he's going to go full tilt and he's going to be able to help us.
"If we don't feel that way, we're not going to play him. It's not worth it."
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 17: Alex Anzalone #34 of the Detroit Lions is helped off the field after being injured during a play in the second quarter of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ford Field on November 17, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan