Detroit — Lions Sign Owen Pappoe After Campbell Neck Injury

Detroit, Michigan is set to add linebacker Owen Pappoe to its practice squad pending a physical, a move triggered by a neck injury to starter Jack Campbell and a season-ending hamstring injury to backup Jimmy Rolder, according to CBS Sports, as reported by the New York Post.

The signing fills a thinned linebacker room two days after Campbell was carted off the field on a backboard during Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions said Tuesday that Campbell's condition is "improving," though no timetable for his return has been announced.

How many linebackers has Detroit lost this season?

Two players are now out for an extended period. Campbell, the team's starting middle linebacker, is sidelined indefinitely. Rolder was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with what the club officially listed as a season-ending hamstring injury. The dual losses prompted Detroit to look outside the roster for reinforcement at the position rather than rely solely on existing depth.

Who is Owen Pappoe?

Pappoe, 26, was a fifth-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Auburn, where he served as a team captain. He appeared in all 17 games for Arizona last season, recording 27 tackles and two pass defenses. Arizona released Pappoe as one of its final roster cuts after this year's preseason, ending what would have been the final season of his four-year rookie contract. The Tennessee Titans claimed him off waivers the next day but released him roughly a month ago. Pappoe visited the Lions on Tuesday before the practice-squad agreement was reached.

What did Dan Campbell say about the linebacker depth?

Head coach Dan Campbell, addressing reporters after Sunday's game, pointed to the players already on hand before any addition was finalized. "Luckily we have some depth in there with [Malcolm Rodriguez] and Nowaske and Barnes," he said. "Those three guys and Amen [Ogbongbemiga]'s been up for us, which is good. And then we've got Bachie ready to roll." He added that the front office was still evaluating outside options: "So, we may need a little bit of help. We're looking at everything. We'll adjust as we go. Brad [Holmes] and I will get together here this afternoon, tomorrow and figure some of this out." Holmes is the Lions' general manager.

What is the latest on Jack Campbell's neck injury?

Campbell was removed from Sunday's game against the Vikings on a backboard after sustaining the injury, a sequence that drew immediate attention on the sideline. As of Tuesday, the team described his condition as "improving," but has not specified a diagnosis, a return date, or whether he will require injured reserve or a longer-term designation. The Post's report does not include further medical detail beyond the team's one-word characterization.

What's next for Detroit's defense?

Pappoe would add both linebacker depth and special-teams experience once his signing clears a physical. He is not expected to step into a starting role immediately, given his limited regular-season snap count in Arizona. The practice-squad designation also means Detroit would need to elevate him to the active roster on a game-by-game basis, or sign him to the 53-man roster outright, before he could play in a regular-season contest.

What to watch

• Whether the Lions elevate Pappoe from the practice squad ahead of their next game.
• Any updated medical timeline from the team on Jack Campbell's neck injury.
• Snap-count distribution among Malcolm Rodriguez, Nowaske, Barnes, Amen Ogbongbemiga, and Bachie in Campbell's and Rolder's absence.
• Additional roster moves general manager Brad Holmes may make at linebacker before the next game.

Glossary

• Practice squad: A roster of up to 17 players who train with the team but are not on the 53-man active roster unless elevated for a specific game.
• Injured reserve (IR): A roster designation for players who cannot practice or play due to injury; players placed on IR are generally out for a minimum period set by league rules, and in Rolder's case the Lions have called the injury season-ending.
• Waiver claim: A process by which another team can acquire a player released by his original club before he becomes a free agent, which is how the Titans obtained Pappoe after Arizona released him.