The Detroit Lions have gone from crying about Jack Campbell to using the unfortunate injury to their linebacker and defensive team captain as part of their culture for the remainder of the 2026 season.
One week after Campbell was removed on an immobilization stretcher and cart from the field during the game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Lions are reporting for work in South Florida for the game against the Miami Dolphins wearing Campbell jerseys.
About half-a-dozen players wore Campbell’s No. 46 jersey to the game.
Even some players who did not wear the Campbell jersey paid tribute to their teammate somehow.
Aidan Hutchinson carried the gallon jug marked “Jack” into the stadium as a tribute to his fallen teammate.
Hutchinson was in some ways the face of how the Lions reacted when Campbell suffered a serious neck injury during Detroit’s victory over Minnesota last Sunday.
The edge rusher was seen crying as trainers and doctors attended to Campbell as he lay motionless on the turf.
This week has been about “playing like 46,” for the Lions.
“This is for him, man,” fellow linebacker Derrick Barnes told reporters. “One of our keys to victory is preparing to play like No. 46.
“Jack’s a fighter, we all know Jack. Knowing Jack, he wants us to keep going throughout our day. That’s why we all love Jack. To hear that from coach (Wednesday) morning was awesome.”
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One of the people wearing No. 46 jerseys on Sunday was defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, who explained what it means to prepare and play like Campbell.
“Every meeting I told the unit, every walkthrough, every play, you all know how Jack prepares. You all know how he plays,” Sheppard said. “The way you honor him is to wipe those tears from your eyes and make sure we prepare and play like him.”
Campbell has full movement in his lower body and is making progress on trying to regain full mobility to his upper body, according to the statement he issued Wednesday.