Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell was immobilized on a backboard and carted off the field during the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings, after going down following a tackle on tight end T.J. Hockenson and not moving. The Lions later announced Campbell had been transported to a local hospital to be evaluated for a neck injury, though no diagnosis or prognosis had been released. Detroit went on to beat Minnesota 19-15, handing the Vikings their first loss of the season.
Campbell went down after tackling Hockenson on a 10-yard gain, and he stayed on the ground without moving, according to NBC Sports. Medical staff immobilized him on a backboard while Lions players gathered around him before he was taken off the field. The outlet reported that Detroit was leading Minnesota 12-7 early in the fourth quarter at the moment Campbell was hurt.
Play stopped for several minutes as both teams responded to the scene. As reported by ClickOnDetroit, Campbell remained on the field through multiple commercial breaks as Lions and Vikings players surrounded him, and Lions defensive teammates were visibly emotional, with defensive end Aidan Hutchinson appearing particularly shaken up on the broadcast. He was eventually moved onto a medical cart and taken to the tunnel.
Teams Pause As Players Take a Knee
Members of both the Lions and Vikings took a knee while Campbell was being cared for on the field, the same NBC Sports report noted. USA Today separately confirmed that Lions teammates took a knee and appeared concerned as medical personnel attended to him, underscoring how the moment brought the game to a standstill regardless of the score or stakes on the line.
The Lions confirmed afterward that Campbell had been transported to a local hospital for evaluation of a neck injury, per the same NBC Sports report. Campbell had recorded three tackles before exiting and entered the week with a team-high 54 tackles on the season, according to USA Today. That same report noted fellow Lions linebacker Jimmy Rolder was also injured on the play that sent Campbell to the hospital.
A Costly Game Already Thinning Detroit's Defense
Campbell's injury came after the Lions defense had already lost star safety Brian Branch and emerging pass rusher D.J. Wonnum earlier in the game, according to ClickOnDetroit. The Vikings briefly answered Detroit's 12-7 lead with a touchdown and two-point conversion to go up 15-12 a few minutes after Campbell left, the outlet reported, before Detroit rallied.
Detroit ultimately pulled out a 19-15 win, outlasting Minnesota to hand the Vikings their first loss of the season, per Yahoo Sports. Minnesota had entered the day as the NFL's only undefeated team at 6-0, leading Detroit by two games in the standings, and ClickOnDetroit reported the Lions needed Sunday's victory to have a real shot at competing for the NFC North title after beating Green Bay the previous week.
No further details on Campbell's condition following his hospital transport have been released.
