Latest news with #Anzalone
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top 10 injury news of the Lions 2024 season - #10 Alex Anzalone's forearm fracture
Defensive injuries are going to take up a lot of this Detroit Lions top 10 injury news list, so let's get things started with Alex Anzalone who fractured his left forearm in week 11. Anzalone has been an extremely valuable player and captain since joining the team four years ago. One of his most memorable plays in a Lions uniform was when he sniffed out a 4th down play to help end the Packers playoff hopes in 2022. Losing him late last season was a big concern as the Lions had already lost a number of key defenders. Injury video from November 17, 2024 He ended up having plate and screws to fix the fracture, which left a lengthy scar. Anzalone forearm scar Impact of injury Despite the loss of this key cog in the middle of the defense, the Lions only lost one of the six games Anzalone missed. Credit to the team for sustaining their winning ways after already losing defensive starters Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, and Derrick Barnes earlier. Advertisement Anzalone recovered in time to return for the final regular season game vs the Vikings and the playoff game vs the Commanders. Interesting tidbits ∎Anzalone played in a game just five days into his 21-day practice window. Typically and ideally, the practice window is timed to try to take advantage of as much of it as possible. The nature of his injury being an arm (not a leg) as well as the importance of the game (Lions vs Vikings - #1 seed to the winner) likely played a role in his early return in the window. ∎Some might say experience is the best teacher. Some might say pain is. Anzalone has both as he broke the same left forearm in college. Friendly fire injury Friendly fire injuries were a concern throughout the season and Anzalone's injury fell into that category. Here's the link to my article summarizing the 2024 friendly fire injuries. While Brian Branch was the one who laid the critical hit, I wouldn't place any blame on him as Anzalone was reaching simultaneously and was not close to having the runner wrapped up. Outlook Going forward, there are no significant concerns with Anzalone's forearm. He looked great when he returned, and his strong play should continue into next season. Off-the-field considerations The main concern as the season approaches may be off-the-field. He skipped the voluntary OTA for unstated reasons, but there are whispers it could be due to the desire for an extension. Advertisement The 2025 season will be his final one under his current contract. Anzalone starts the 2025 season at age 30 and turns 31 on September 22. Age is beginning to become a concern, but with no signs of athletic decline, it's possible the Lions will feel comfortable extending him this offseason. The forearm fracture should not have any impact on this decision. While the health issues are negligible, salary cap considerations are not. At the LB position, Derrick Barnes just received a 3-year deal worth up to $25.5 million with $16 million guaranteed, and the productive, 24-year-old Jack Campbell may be a priority extension next offseason. The Lions also have many younger players who are worthy of big-money extensions such as Aidan Hutchinson, Brian Branch, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta. As training camp nears, it will be interesting to see how Anzalone's status plays out. This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Top 10 injury news of Lions 2024 season - #10 Alex Anzalone's forearm
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alex Anzalone's cryptic post adds fuel to the perceived contract demands in Detroit
Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone has remained away from the team's voluntary offseason workouts thus far. The team captain is entering the final year of his contract (the deal voids for 2026) and the presumption is that Anzalone, who turns 31 in September, is looking for more money, more guaranteed money, or some combination of both to stay in Detroit. Anzalone's latest social media post is throwing gasoline onto that smoldering situation, one that head coach Dan Campbell stated last week didn't concern him at all. The Instagram post shows Anzalone working out away from the team and looking impressive physically. Anzalone makes no mention at all of the Lions in the extended video clip, nor does he refer to Detroit in his simple comment, "In life, you have options. Which will you choose?" Based on the comments to the clip, including one from Lions teammate Jahmyr Gibbs, it's abundantly clear that the masses believe Anzalone is referring to his perceived contractual squabble with the Lions in the video. Anzalone is under contract for $6 million in 2025, though none of that salary is guaranteed. Including his $100,000 roster bonus, Anzalone's total compensation is outside the top 25 LBs in the NFL for 2025. More: Lions OTA notebook and observations from Friday's practice session This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions LB Alex Anzalone's cryptic post sets Lions social media afire
USA Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Alex Anzalone's cryptic post adds fuel to the perceived contract demands in Detroit
Alex Anzalone's cryptic post adds fuel to the perceived contract demands in Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone has remained away from the team's voluntary offseason workouts thus far. The team captain is entering the final year of his contract (the deal voids for 2026) and the presumption is that Anzalone, who turns 31 in September, is looking for more money, more guaranteed money, or some combination of both to stay in Detroit. Anzalone's latest social media post is throwing gasoline onto that smoldering situation, one that head coach Dan Campbell stated last week didn't concern him at all. The Instagram post shows Anzalone working out away from the team and looking impressive physically. Anzalone makes no mention at all of the Lions in the extended video clip, nor does he refer to Detroit in his simple comment, "In life, you have options. Which will you choose?" Based on the comments to the clip, including one from Lions teammate Jahmyr Gibbs, it's abundantly clear that the masses believe Anzalone is referring to his perceived contractual squabble with the Lions in the video. Anzalone is under contract for $6 million in 2025, though none of that salary is guaranteed. Including his $100,000 roster bonus, Anzalone's total compensation is outside the top 25 LBs in the NFL for 2025. More: Lions OTA notebook and observations from Friday's practice session
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Valuable Detroit Lions starter could be hinting at a contract holdout
The Detroit Lions already have a challenging season ahead, having to replace offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn in the same offseason. They've also had to replace multiple starters on offense and defense. Based on the actions of Alex Anzalone, the Lions may soon have to worry about who will be playing linebacker when training camp begins. Advertisement Heading into the final year of his contract, Anzalone wasn't present for the Lions' voluntary offseason workouts. Set to have a $7.2 million cap hit, there haven't been any reports of Anzalone angling for a new contract or debating a holdout. However, if you scroll through Anzalone's X social media page, you'll find multiple references to him sharing posts about how valuable he is to the Lions' defense. After fracturing his left forearm, Anzalone only made it through 10 games last year, but before that, he had been coming off back-to-back 100-tackle seasons. When healthy, he's been a mainstay, starting all 57 games he's appeared in with Detroit. Advertisement Set to turn 31 in September, it makes sense for Anzalone to get every cent he can while at the peak of his career. Yet, the Lions may want him to prove he's not only durable and healthy enough to make it through a full season again. Related: Predicting NFL playoff teams and Super Bowl 2026 winner Related Headlines
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Lions: 'Zero concern' with Alex Anzalone's offseason absence amid contract issues
Kacy Rodgers won a Super Bowl five years ago as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Detroit Lions' new defensive line coach said the hunger and commitment he sees from the team this offseason resembles his time with the Bucs in 2020. 'It's the offseason and everybody's here,' Rodgers said. Advertisement Well, not everybody. Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone is not taking part in the team's formal offseason program this spring. Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) signals a Minnesota Vikings false start during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. INJURY UPDATE: Lions 'elated' for Aidan Hutchinson's return from injury: 'That's how I know you're back' Workouts are voluntary and Anzalone has spent part of his past springs as a Lion at home in Florida, including last year. But the veteran linebacker has made veiled references to his value as a player on social media in recent weeks, raising questions about his contract — he's due $6 million in base salary and has $100,000 total in per-game roster bonuses this fall — and future in Detroit. Advertisement Lions linebackers coach Shaun Dion Hamilton declined comment on Anzalone's absence this week, and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said he has 'zero concern' about Anzalone being away from the team. 'Me and Alex are all good,' said Sheppard, Anzalone's position coach the past four years. 'I have zero concern. That player is a leader here and he's been a leader here, he's been an intricate piece in building the culture that's here and I'm going to pay the respect that he's earned and that he's due, and whatever his private situations are, I'll let Alex address those when he's face-to-face with you all.' Anzalone has been one of the Lions' best and most dependable defensive players since he signed as part of the team's first free-agent class under general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell in 2021. He set career highs in tackles three straight seasons (2021-23), going from 78 to 125 to 129, and the Lions defense struggled when he missed six games with a broken forearm late last season. Advertisement Anzalone returned to play with a soft cast on his forearm in the Lions' division-clinching season-ending win over the Minnesota Vikings and made a team-high 13 tackles in a playoff loss to the Washington Commanders. TV TIME: NFL exec: Detroit Lions 'have played their way into bigger national television windows' Anzalone, who turns 31 in December and played on one-year contracts his first two seasons in Detroit, recently posted a picture of himself working out on social media with the caption, 'Respect is due.' He also reposted old posts referencing the Lions' struggles while he was injured, and Yahoo reported he reposted comments from disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson with the caption, 'This.' The Lions have re-signed several of their core players to long-term contracts in the past 13 months, including Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Alim McNeill, Kerby Joseph and David Montgomery. They also inked Anzalone's good friend and fellow linebacker, Derrick Barnes, to a three-year, $24 million contract before the start of free agency. Advertisement Anzalone is entering the last year of his contract. Holmes said this spring the team mostly sat out free agency to save money to re-sign other recent draft picks in the future, including Aidan Hutchinson and Jahmyr GIbbs. Middle linebacker Jack Campbell, the 18th pick in the 2023 NFL draft, is eligible for a contract extension for the first time next year. 'I can tell you as far as the concerns with me, (his absence) has no effect with how I see Alex or how I view him,' Sheppard said. 'That is one of our captains, he's been one of our captains and I still see him as such.' The Lions do not have any mandatory work on their schedule until training camp opens July 20. Advertisement Dave Birkett is the author of the book, "Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline." Order your copy here. Contact him at dbirkett@ Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Alex Anzalone misses Detroit Lions workouts amid contract questions
