Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has issued a fresh update on linebacker Jack Campbell’s condition following his horrifying injury on Sunday afternoon.
The All-Pro linebacker was left motionless on the turf at Ford Field, Detroit, after trying to make a tackle on Minnesota Vikings star TJ Hockenson.
Campbell was swiftly loaded onto a backboard and transported to the hospital with his wife and baby son by his side, where he remained overnight.
The Lions had refrained from providing an update in the hours that followed; however, on Monday afternoon, they released a statement regarding Campbell’s situation.
Taking to X, the Lions revealed: ‘Jack Campbell continues to rest and recover at a local hospital.
‘Preliminary indications are positive and out of respect for Jack and his family we will not share further information at this time.’
The Detroit Lions have confirmed that linebacker Jack Campbell will remain in hospital
The All-Pro linebacker was left motionless on the turf at Ford Field, Detroit, on Sunday
Head coach Dan Campbell pleaded with fans to keep the linebacker in their prayers
Just moments after the Lions’ statement, head coach Dan Campbell addressed the situation further at a press conference.
He said: ‘On Jack, I know that there was a release we put out. It’s positive. So, your prayers are working. Please continue to do that. But it is positive news on Jack.’
Campbell continued: ‘I got to see him last night. It was good. It was positive. You know, I got to see his parents [and] talk to his wife. Everybody is in good spirits.’
When asked if any of his Lions teammates paid the linebacker a visit, the Lions head coach added: ‘A lot of people went over there but not everybody got to see him.
‘He was running some tests, things of that nature. So, you know, at some point it gets hard to have everybody in there’.
While Campbell was being loaded onto a backboard and taken off the field, players from both the Vikings and Lions took a knee in a show of support.
Detroit Lions star Aidan Hutchinson was particularly distraught as he and his teammates tried to play on in the wake of Campbell’s serious neck injury.
As the captain of the defense, it was left to him to rally his teammates for the end of the game, and he gave a rousing speech before the resumption, even while his eyes filled with tears.
Meanwhile, emotional locker room footage has since emerged showing Detroit Lions head coach Campbell leading a prayer for linebacker Campbell.
In footage shared by the Lions, Campbell said: ‘I’m gonna lower this mood a little bit.
Campbell (right) suffered a serious injury while attempting to tackle TJ Hockenson (top)
Emotional locker room footage has emerged showing Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell leading a prayer for linebacker Campbell following his terrifying injury on Sunday
‘I do not have any more information on Jack. We don’t know anything else at this point. So here’s what I wanna do. We’re gonna take a knee. Now I wanna pray for Jack, and let’s keep in our thoughts and prayers’.
The Lions opted to omit the prayer itself from the footage however, as he prepared to take the knee, head coach Campbell appeared overcome with emotion – with a red face and tears seemingly streaming down his face.
The footage resumed following his prayer, showing quarterback Jared Goff breaking down the locker room huddle.
‘Hey, I love you boys. Stick together. I know that [it’s] tough with Jack. Stick together, lean on each other. Alright?’, Goff said.
The former Iowa star was drafted by the Lions with the No. 18 overall pick in 2023.
Last season, Campbell was an All-Pro selection after becoming the first NFL player in seven years to have 150-plus tackles and at least five sacks and three forced fumbles.
The Lions signed Campbell last May to a four-year, $81 million contract extension that runs through the 2030 season.
His injury comes in the middle of a huge year on and off the field, with him and his wife Megan having welcomed their first child to the world, a boy called Cooper, back in February.
