The Detroit Lions were held together by a thread by the end of last season, with 13 players landing on injured reserve. Those injuries played a major role in the team’s surprising loss in the divisional round, despite an impressive 15-2 regular season. However, they’ve also become a source of optimism for fans looking ahead to 2025.
This offseason has brought better news, as many of those sidelined players are making their way back. Star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson drew attention recently with a video showing off his rehab progress, but he wasn’t the only one making strides — another key Lions defender also took a major step forward in preparation for a crucial season.
Lions LB Malcolm Rodriguez Making Strides in ACL Recovery
Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, who suffered a torn ACL in a Thanksgiving matchup against the Chicago Bears, is already showing encouraging signs in his road to recovery. The 26-year-old gave fans an update over the weekend, posting a video of himself sprinting with the caption “pushing,” highlighting his determination to return strong for the 2025 season.
While sprinting may seem routine for most football players, it’s a significant milestone for someone returning from a major injury — especially with a pivotal season ahead. Malcolm Rodriguez, who started for the Lions as a rookie in 2022, racked up 87 total tackles, including eight for loss, along with two pass breakups, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a sack across 16 games.
In 2023, the arrival of Jack Campbell pushed Rodriguez into a reserve role, but he still found ways to contribute, earning a solid 72.8 grade on 214 special teams snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
Rodriguez was enjoying his most productive season yet in 2024, recording 43 tackles, two tackles for loss, a pass deflection, a fumble recovery, and two sacks through the first 10 games. Unfortunately, his campaign was cut short by the Thanksgiving ACL injury, casting uncertainty over his future with the team.
The Lions locked up linebacker Derrick Barnes with a three-year, $24 million extension last offseason, and Jack Campbell could be in line for a payday of his own after back-to-back strong campaigns. Veteran Alex Anzalone, who turns 31 in September, is entering the final year of a three-year, $18.75 million deal. As a respected leader in the locker room, he may have a desire to remain in Detroit beyond this season.
All of that puts added weight on 2025 for Malcolm Rodriguez, who is heading into the final year of his rookie contract. He’s already proven to be a valuable asset, but a standout season could secure his future with the team. For Rodriguez, those early rehab sprints might just be the first step toward a major opportunity.
