The Detroit Lions have declined to share any additional information on linebacker Jack Campbell’s potential neck injury as head coach Dan Campbell gave an update on his “recovery.”
“Jack Campbell continues to rest and recover at a local hospital,” the team said in a social media statement on Monday, November 2. “Preliminary indications are positive and out of respect for Jack and his family we will not share further information at this time.”
While the organization is prioritizing Jack’s family during this tough time, Lions coach Campbell, 50, briefly addressed the injury during a press conference that afternoon.
When asked by reporters on Monday whether he could share information on Jack’s health, Dan replied, “I can’t so I’m not going to. Next question.”
The head coach later shared that the team “does know what’s going on” and confirmed he has “updated the captains” following Jack’s scary collision during the Sunday, November 1, game against the Minnesota Vikings that seemed to leave the linebacker unable to move.
During Sunday’s game in Detroit, Michigan, Jack, 26, was involved in what appeared to be a relatively normal tackle against Vikings’ tight end T.J. Hockenson. After the collision, Jack was “immobilized” via a backboard and carted off the field.
Dan noted on Monday that “it’s about the recovery” now for Jack, adding that the player’s family is very “positive” about his future. (The team previously revealed Jack was being evaluated for a neck injury.)
He revealed that he’s spoken with Jack’s parents and wife Megan Campbell, adding that they are all in “good spirits.”
When it comes to Jack’s teammates, Dan confirmed that “a lot of people went over there, but not everybody got to see him” at the hospital because the doctors were “running some tests.”
Looking forward, the coach said that Jack’s absence will be felt by everyone in the organization.
“I don’t even know that I can put it into words — when you get voted captain that says a ton, especially with this group of guys,” he told reporters. “He earned every bit of that. He’s trustworthy, he’s dependable, he’d give the shirt off his back — he’s just all heart, man, all effort, and just an unbelievable person.”
Dan praised Jack as a man who is “down to earth” and “very genuine,” adding, “There’s not a man on this team that doesn’t respect Jack Campbell and care about him.”
Following Sunday’s scary tackle, some of Jack’s teammates have spoken out, including quarterback Jared Goff.
“Jack’s deal was definitely scary,” Goff, 32, said after the Lions victory over the Vikings on Sunday. “It just brings you back to reality for a moment that he’s a husband and a father. Scary. We’re praying for him and hope he’s going to be alright. If anyone is tough enough to get through something like that it’s going to be him.”
Vikings star Hockenson, 29, also reacted to the incident after the game, telling reporters, “I said this earlier, but prayers out to Jack Campbell, man, and his family. I was in on that play. I didn’t see what happened, but that’s an Iowa guy. I know Jack, and I just want to send good vibes to him and his family and his locker room.”
