Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has insisted Jack Campbell is still heading in the right direction in another update on his health Tuesday morning.
The All-Pro linebacker was left motionless on the turf at Ford Field, Detroit, after trying to make a tackle on Minnesota Vikings star TJ Hockenson.
Campbell was swiftly loaded onto a backboard and transported to the hospital with his wife and baby son by his side, where he remained overnight.
The Lions and coach Campbell gave an update on their player’s condition Monday but the former NFL tight end and Super Bowl champion addressed the situation again in a radio appearance Tuesday morning.
In an appearance on Costa and Jansen with Heather on Detroit’s 97/1 The Ticket, he said: ‘It’s not easy because he’s gonna always be on our minds over here.
‘The good news is he is improving, but we also – we got a job to do, and this is what we’re tasked with, and there’s a reason why we go through all this stuff.
Lions coach Dan Campbell offered another positive update on Jack Campbell’s health Tuesday
The All-Pro linebacker was left motionless on the turf after trying to make a tackle on Sunday
Campbell was swiftly loaded onto a backboard and transported to the hospital with his family
‘It’s to get to where we wanna go collectively as a team, and adversity comes in all shapes and sizes and we gotta overcome everything that comes our way.’
When asked how the rest of his players are coping, Campbell added: ‘I think the thought of him – knowing he’s doing better – I’ve kept the captains up to date and they’ve let the other guys know it’s good news.
‘So, I think that helps everybody just get a better handle on all this. Once you know that, then you gotta move on for yourself, too, in that moment because if you let things wander and you drift and you worry a little and then you’re trying to play or prepare, that’s where bad things can happen to you because you’re not all in on what you need to be doing.
‘So, that’s why it’s important that you get back to your own business. All we can do at this point is just continue to pray for Jack, put our thoughts on him when we have a minute, and his family, and it’s working, like I said, because he is improving.’
While Campbell was being loaded onto a backboard and taken off the field, players from both the Vikings and Lions took a knee in a show of support.
Detroit Lions star Aidan Hutchinson was particularly distraught as he and his teammates tried to play on in the wake of Campbell’s serious neck injury.
As the captain of the defense, it was left to him to rally his teammates for the end of the game, and he gave a rousing speech before the resumption, even while his eyes filled with tears.
The Lions had refrained from providing an update in the hours that followed; however, on Monday afternoon, they released a statement regarding Campbell’s situation.
Taking to X, the Lions revealed: ‘Jack Campbell continues to rest and recover at a local hospital.
‘Preliminary indications are positive and out of respect for Jack and his family we will not share further information at this time.’
Campbell and his wife Megan welcomed their first child, a boy called Cooper, back in February
Meanwhile, emotional locker room footage has since emerged showing Detroit Lions head coach Campbell leading a prayer for linebacker Campbell.
In footage shared by the Lions, Campbell said: ‘I’m gonna lower this mood a little bit.
‘I do not have any more information on Jack. We don’t know anything else at this point. So here’s what I wanna do. We’re gonna take a knee. Now I wanna pray for Jack, and let’s keep in our thoughts and prayers’.
The Lions opted to omit the prayer itself from the footage however, as he prepared to take the knee, head coach Campbell appeared overcome with emotion – with a red face and tears seemingly streaming down his face.
The footage resumed following his prayer, showing quarterback Jared Goff breaking down the locker room huddle.
‘Hey, I love you boys. Stick together. I know that [it’s] tough with Jack. Stick together, lean on each other. Alright?’, Goff said.
The former Iowa star was drafted by the Lions with the No. 18 overall pick in 2023.
Last season, Campbell was an All-Pro selection after becoming the first NFL player in seven years to have 150-plus tackles and at least five sacks and three forced fumbles.
The Lions signed Campbell last May to a four-year, $81 million contract extension that runs through the 2030 season.
His injury comes in the middle of a huge year on and off the field, with him and his wife Megan having welcomed their first child to the world, a boy called Cooper, back in February.
