Alex Anzalone Returns for Lions vs Vikings in Week 18: Inactives, Injury Report

Photo: Instagram/@alexanzalone34

The Detroit Lions are getting a big boost for their crucial Week 18 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Defensive captain and starting linebacker Alex Anzalone will return to the lineup after being out for several weeks due to a broken left forearm. He is not listed on the pregame inactive list and will be available for this must-win game.

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This game is extremely important for both teams as the winner will claim the No. 1 seed in the NFC, while the loser will drop to the wild-card round as the 5th seed and will have to play the 4th seed away from home. To make sure Anzalone was ready for this game, the Lions activated him and wide receiver Kalif Raymond from injured reserve on Saturday.

Anzalone hasn’t played since November 17, when he was injured during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He collided with safety Brian Branch, which led to the forearm injury. Before getting hurt, Anzalone had started every game of the season, playing alongside Jack Campbell at linebacker. Since then, the Lions have had to adjust with different players filling in, but now with Anzalone back, the defense looks much stronger.

This season, Anzalone has 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and four passes defended. He joined the Lions in 2021 and has been a captain ever since. Despite not being fully healed, Anzalone has been practicing this week with a brace on his arm. He admitted that his arm won’t be 100% until the offseason, but he’s pushing through and is ready to help his team in this critical game.

Raymond, who has been out since suffering a foot injury on November 24 against the Indianapolis Colts, will also return to action. He has 16 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns this season, and he also serves as the team’s return man. Raymond's return gives the Lions a boost on both offense and special teams.
Unfortunately, running back David Montgomery will not be playing in this game due to an MCL injury in his left knee. However, running back Craig Reynolds, who had been listed as questionable with a back injury, will be available to play.

The rest of the Lions’ inactive for the game include offensive linemen Colby Sorsdal, Giovanni Manu, and Kayode Awosika; defensive linemen Jonah Williams and Brodric Martin; and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater will be the team’s emergency third quarterback behind Jared Goff and Hendon Hooker.
As for the Vikings, they will be without quarterback Brett Rypien, cornerback Fabian Moreau, linebacker Calvin Munson, defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez, center Dan Feeney, tackle Walter Rouse, and linebacker Patrick Jones.

With both teams fighting for a playoff spot, this game will be intense, and the Lions are hoping that the return of key players like Anzalone and Raymond will give them the edge to secure the win.

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