Detroit Lions’ Linebacker Makes Shocking Revelation on Win vs Bucs

After an inspired performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that saw him and his team take down an inspired Baker Mayfield, the veteran OLB is ready to do it all over again. This time to the NFC’s top seed.

Alex Anzalone played through a fractured rib vs Bucs

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported that Anzalone was dealing with a serious rib injury that should have sidelined him for some parts of the playoffs.

Anzalone was not immediately diagnosed with the injury after the Vikings game and was not listed on the injury report before the Rams game when he left briefly in the second half with what was announced as a shoulder injury.

The veteran linebacker, who led the team with a career-high 129 tackles this season, was listed on last week’s injury report with shoulder and rib injuries. He said after the Rams game and again last week the injuries would not prevent him from playing against the Bucs.

Anzalone was the most active member of the defense’s pass rush in the tackling department. He made five solo tackles that helped limit Tampa’s rush attack to only 89 yards on 15 attempts.

Lions coach Dan Campbell had nothing but praise to say to his star linebacker:

“Look, Alex is tough,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said last week. “He’s been through this. And it does, it means a lot. I mean, that’s – that’s really what we’re built off here. And ultimately, it comes down to what the player believes they can do. If they believe they can still produce not being 100 percent, then that’s the difference and we have a ton of guys that are that way.”

Detroit Lions’ Frank Ragnow insists on playing San Francisco game

On the other side of the coin, Frank Ragnow is doing everything he can to be eligible for the Detroit Lions’ upcoming duel against one of the toughest defenses in the NFL.

The All-Pro center is still recovering from an inoperable toe condition when he suffered knee and ankle spains against Tampa last week. He was also listed on the Lions’ injury list alongside Anzalone.

However, the 27-year-old refuses to lie down. He had this to say, per MLive.com’s Kyle Meinke:

“I feel pretty good, to be honest,” Ragnow said. “Better than I expected. Stiff, definitely stiff, but rehabbing and feel pretty good.”

Both Alex Anzalone and Frank Ragnow embody Campbell’s brand of aggressive, smash-mouth football. It’s thanks to both of them that the team is making their way to San Francisco.

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