Anzalone (hamstring) returned to practice Saturday, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

In addition to his hamstring injury, Anzalone wants a contract extension as he heads into the final season of his three-year, $18.75 million contract. The 30-year-old linebacker looks ready to play regardless, and he's set to start at outside linebacker in 2025. Last season, Anzalone posted 63 tackles (43 solo), five pass breakups and 1.0 sacks over 10 regular-season games.

Anzalone (hamstring) isn't practicing Monday, Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anzalone's locked in as a starter when healthy, but he's back on the mend again in training camp after being limited to 10 regular-season appearances in 2024 by a broken forearm. Detroit will likely take a cautious approach with this new soft-tissue injury for Anzalone, who has 395 tackles over the past four regular seasons with the Lions.

Anzalone finished the 2024 regular season with 63 total tackles (43 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding five passes defensed over 10 games.

EDGE Analysis

Anzalone was a crucial piece of Detroit's defensive identity in 2024, but he suffered a broken forearm injury in Week 11 versus the Lions, which sidelined him for six contests. The linebacker saw a dip in overall production as a result of the injury while second-year player Jack Campbell also emerged as the team's most consistent option at middle linebacker throughout the season. Anzalone is still under contract with the Lions for one more season in 2025 and he'll look to get back on track after producing back-to-back seasons with at least 125 tackles in 2022 and 2023.

Anzalone recorded seven total tackles (three solo) and a pass defensed in Sunday night's 31-9 win over the Vikings.

EDGE Analysis

Anzalone was rather active in his return to the field following a six-game absence with a broken forearm, leading the team with seven takedowns in the contest. The linebacker finished the regular season having produced 63 total tackles (43 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding five passes defensed over 10 games. With the victory in Week 18, the Lions secured a bye week to open the playoffs and Anzalone will look to build off of Sunday's performance when Detroit returns to action in the NFC divisional round in two weeks.

Anzalone (forearm) is active for Sunday night's contest against the Vikings.

EDGE Analysis

Anzalone will make his return to the field after missing six games with a broken forearm that his suffered in Week 11 against the Jaguars. The linebacker will likely be on a "pitch count" Sunday, but he stands to provide a substantial addition to Detroit's defense in the uber-significant matchup with Minnesota. On the season, Anzalone has compiled 56 total tackles (40 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding four passes defensed over nine games.

Detroit activated Anzalone (forearm) from injured reserve Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Anzalone was placed on IR on Nov. 18 after breaking his forearm during the Lions' Week 11 blowout win over the Jaguars. He returned to practice Wednesday and logged consecutive full practices to end the week. His activation off IR on Saturday indicates that he is on track to play against the Vikings on Sunday. In the nine games prior to his injury, Anzalone tallied 56 tackles (40 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and four pass defenses.

Anzalone (forearm) practiced in full Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Anzalone remains on injured reserve but appears to be nearing a return after he was designated for return Wednesday. The Lions badly need the help on defense with the team already down linebackers Derrick Barnes (knee) and Malcolm Rodriguez (knee) ahead of Sunday night's big game against Minnesota.

Anzalone (forearm) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Anzalone was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's practice estimation, and Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that there's a realistic chance for the 30-year-old to make his return in the Lions' Week 18 matchup against the Vikings, a game that will decide the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Anzalone's practice participation Thursday and Friday will likely offer the best insight into whether he can suit up Sunday. He would be a significant addition to a Detroit linebacker corps already without Derrick Barnes (knee) and Malcolm Rodriguez (knee).

Anzalone (forearm) is expected to be available for the Lions for the start of the postseason, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anzalone broke his forearm during the Lions' Week 11 win over the Jaguars, which prompted Detroit to place the veteran linebacker on injured reserve Nov. 18. The initial timeline for his return was 6-to-8 weeks, and while it doesn't appear likely that he'll be activated off IR for the Lions' last two games of the regular season, he should be available for Detroit's first playoff game. Jack Campbell will continue to serve as the Lions' starting middle linebacker for as long as Anzalone is sidelined.

The Lions placed Anzalone (forearm) on injured reserve Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Anzalone played 20 defensive snaps and recorded five total tackles before breaking his forearm in Sunday's blowout win over the Jaguars. This injury is expected to sideline the 30-year-old for 6-to-8 weeks, so his shift to IR comes as no surprise. Anzalone will be now be forced to miss at least the Lions' next four games, with his earliest possible return coming in the Week 16 matchup against the Bears. Expect Jack Campbell to see increased work with the Lions' first-team defense until Anzalone can return.