Former New Orleans Saints linebacker Alex Anzalone has done very well for himself with the Detroit Lions, playing 95% and 98% of their defensive snaps over the last two years and earning a captain’s patch. He’s become an important piece of their stout run defense.
But an untimely injury may get in the way of his New Orleans homecoming. Anzalone hurt his hand in Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day loss to the Green Bay Packers and was sidelined for their first two practices going into Week 13’s game with the Saints. If he can’t participate on at least a limited basis Friday, odds are he’ll have to sit this one out.
That would be a tough blow for him. Injuries were a frequent issue for Anzalone during his four-year Saints career; he missed most of the 2017 and 2019 seasons because of shoulder injuries, which have slowed him down since his college career. Finally healthy and comfortable in his role with the Lions, he’s earned some Pro Bowl buzz this season with 87 tackles (58 solo, 5 tackles for loss) plus 3 sacks, 9 quarterback hits, 5 passes defensed, and a fumble recovery.
So the Lions will miss him if he’s unable to play on Sunday. That’s good news for a Saints offense that has struggled to reach the end zone this season. Rookie linebacker Jack Campbell may play a larger role for Detroit in Anzalone’s absence, but we’ll have to wait and see how defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn wants to approach this. Either way, Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara, and the Saints offense must take advantage of whichever matchups the Lions throw at them.
