Lions Say Jack Campbell’s Early Signs Are Positive as He Remains in Hospital After Neck Injury

Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell remains in a local hospital after a neck injury suffered on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, and the team said on Monday that early signs are positive.

“Jack Campbell continues to rest and recover at a local hospital,” the Lions wrote in a statement posted to social media. “Preliminary indications are positive and out of respect for Jack and his family we will not share further information at this time.”

Campbell was hurt early in the fourth quarter of Detroit’s 19-15 win on Sunday at Ford Field. He was placed on a backboard and driven off the field, and he remains in hospital being monitored, according to Sky Sports. The 26-year-old was breathing when taken to the medical facility.

Campbell was face down on the turf and not moving after hitting Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson for his third tackle of the game, Sky Sports reported. Teammates from both teams took a knee while medical staff attended to him, and edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson was among those in tears while the game was paused, according to USA Today.

Coach Dan Campbell speaks about the visit

Lions coach Dan Campbell spoke about the injury during a news conference on Monday. The team had posted its update about half an hour before the news conference was scheduled to begin, according to USA Today.

Dan Campbell said he did not have a concrete update about the linebacker’s condition, but he repeated that the news was positive. “It’s positive,” the coach said. “Your prayers are working. Please continue to do that. We’ll leave it at that, so continue to pray for him. But it is positive.”

The coach said he visited Jack Campbell in the hospital on Sunday night, along with some other Lions players. “I got to go see him last night,” Dan Campbell said. “It was good, it was positive. I got to see his parents, talk to his wife. You know, everybody’s in good spirits. It’s about the recovery. It’s a small setback.”

Dan Campbell also said the team knows what is going on and that he has told the captains about the situation. Jack Campbell was made a captain for the team this season, according to Sky Sports. Dan Campbell described him as trustworthy and dependable, and said, “He’s just all heart, all effort.”

What comes next

The Lions said on Sunday night that Campbell was resting and would remain in a local hospital for continued evaluation and monitoring, according to USA Today. The team’s most recent update before Monday’s news conference came at 2:31 p.m. ET on Monday, when it said preliminary indications are positive.

The team has given few details about Campbell’s condition since the injury, and Dan Campbell told reporters he could not provide additional information. Campbell was drafted by the Lions with the 18th overall pick in 2023, and he signed a contract extension in May that runs through 2030, according to Sky Sports.

Reporting based on coverage by USA Today and Sky Sports.