Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell spent Sunday night in a hospital after he was strapped to a backboard and carted off with a neck injury in the 19-15 win over the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions said he is resting and will stay in the hospital “for continued evaluation and monitoring,” and that they will give more updates when they have them.
- Campbell went down after tackling Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson on the first play of the fourth quarter; he was alert and breathing when he was taken to the hospital
- The whole Lions team and most of the coaching staff gathered around the cart before it drove him off the field
- Detroit also lost DJ Wonnum and Brian Branch to concussions, and Jacob Saylors (neck) and Cade Mays (ankle) were ruled out
- In the late games, Chiefs defensive lineman Peter Woods (neck), Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley (shoulder) and Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder) were hurt, and the Eagles and Commanders each lost a player on Sunday night
What happened to Jack Campbell
Campbell was face down on the turf and did not move after his third tackle of the game. Medical staff looked at him on the field before they put him on a board and lifted him onto the cart. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was in tears during the long stoppage, and the crowd applauded as the cart left.
“Thoughts and prayers are with Jack and his family,” head coach Dan Campbell said after the game. “He’s being taken care of. We don’t have any new information. We’ll keep you updated as this thing goes.” Quarterback Jared Goff said, “It just brings you back to reality for a moment that he’s a husband and a father. Scary. We’re praying for him and hope he’s going to be alright.”
Campbell, the 18th pick in 2023, was an All-Pro last season, when he had more than 150 tackles, at least five sacks and three forced fumbles. He signed a contract extension in May that runs through 2030.
Six more Lions get hurt
Wonnum and Branch collided on a tackle in the first half and were both ruled out with concussions, and Wonnum was carted off. Running back Jacob Saylors (neck) and center Cade Mays (ankle) were also downgraded to out, while cornerback D.J. Reed (hip) and linebacker Jimmy Rolder (hamstring) were listed as questionable.
Injuries in the late and night games
- Chiefs: defensive lineman Peter Woods was questionable to return with a neck injury in the loss at Denver
- Rams: cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder) was downgraded to out, and cornerback Trent McDuffie (back) was questionable, in the win over the Chargers
- Chargers: linebacker Daiyan Henley (shoulder) was questionable to return
- Dolphins: defensive lineman Malik Herring had a stinger and was questionable to return against the Patriots
- Sunday night: Eagles defensive back Michael Carter II (abdomen) and Commanders running back Jeremy McNichols (foot) were both questionable to return
Updates from the early games
Several players who were questionable to return in the early games did not come back. Jaguars safety Eric Murray (elbow), Falcons receiver Zachariah Branch (hamstring) and Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (groin) were all ruled out, and so was Cardinals left tackle Jayden Williams (knee). Arizona running back Jeremiyah Love hurt his right ankle, Browns cornerback Tyson Campbell was checked for a concussion after a neck injury, and Bills running back James Cook was cleared after a head injury check.
Week 8 in-game injuries at a glance
| Player | Team | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Campbell, LB | Lions | Neck | In hospital overnight |
| DJ Wonnum, EDGE | Lions | Concussion | Ruled out |
| Brian Branch, DB | Lions | Concussion | Ruled out |
| Jacob Saylors, RB | Lions | Neck | Ruled out |
| Cade Mays, C | Lions | Ankle | Ruled out |
| D.J. Reed, CB | Lions | Hip | Questionable |
| Jimmy Rolder, LB | Lions | Hamstring | Questionable |
| Theo Jackson, S | Vikings | Quad | Questionable to return |
| Peter Woods, DL | Chiefs | Neck | Questionable to return |
| Daiyan Henley, LB | Chargers | Shoulder | Questionable to return |
| Jaylen Watson, CB | Rams | Shoulder | Ruled out |
| Trent McDuffie, CB | Rams | Back | Questionable |
| Malik Herring, DL | Dolphins | Stinger | Questionable to return |
| Michael Carter II, DB | Eagles | Abdomen | Questionable to return |
| Jeremy McNichols, RB | Commanders | Foot | Questionable to return |
| Eric Murray, S | Jaguars | Elbow | Ruled out |
| Zachariah Branch, WR | Falcons | Hamstring | Ruled out |
| Darien Porter, CB | Raiders | Groin | Ruled out |
| Jeremiyah Love, RB | Cardinals | Right ankle | Questionable to return |
| Jayden Williams, LT | Cardinals | Knee | Ruled out |
| Tyson Campbell, CB | Browns | Neck, concussion check | Questionable |
| James Cook, RB | Bills | Head | Cleared, returned |
What comes next
The Lions have promised an update on Campbell, and Dan Campbell normally speaks to reporters on Monday. The Ravens’ quarterback situation, with Lamar Jackson going on injured reserve, is covered here. The Bears and Seahawks finish Week 8 on Monday night.
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