On Wednesday, Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone was listed as a limited participant in the day's walkthrough practice. Head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged how important Thursday's practice would be for the team captain, who has been sidelined since suffering a broken forearm in Week 11.
Anzalone was listed as a full participant on Thursday's practice report, which was a good sign for the prospect he'll be able to play against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night. But it was also not a padded practice, so the obvious question is how it will be determined if Anzalone can take contact.
Anzalone was spotted at Thursday's practice with a brace or cast on his injured forearm, as would be expected. He spoke with reporters after practice, and talked extensively about the potential he plays this week and all that will go into the decision.
Alex Anzalone acknowledges the risk-reward of playing this week
Anzalone said he wore a padded cast with carbon fiber on Thursday, and it sounds like he'd wear it upon returning to play. He acknowledged he is not 100 percent, but "no one is 100 percent at this point."
"Obviously, the doctors and the trainers, they go through what the risks are: Waiting a week, waiting two weeks, going through practice, maybe letting it spin next week or the week after that or this week,” Anzalone said. “So I think that for me personally, I think it’s like, ‘Okay, say if something did happen, would I be okay not playing in the Super Bowl?’ So I think that’s kind of the decision I have to make in my own head, and is it worth it? How do I feel going over these next few practices? And go from there, because I haven’t practiced in six weeks. I’m just using my arm and seeing how it goes.”
Anzalone noted the conversations that are going to happen with Dan Campbell and Lions' medical staff as Sunday night nears.
"It’s a collaborative effort,” Anzalone said. “They do a really good job in the training room, our team docs. They don’t really try to put us in crazy harm’s way. Obviously, that there are risks of playing with injury, coming back, but at the same time, they do a really good job of getting you ready and putting you out there prepared and when they feel comfortable. I think part of my voice and how I feel definitely goes into it, but that’s really it.”
Anzalone, in light of Thursday's practice not being a padded session, noted what he hasn't done yet.
"That's another thing, is like, I haven't tackled anyone to the ground," Anzalone said. "I've done some drills and tried to simulate it as much as possible. It's just one of those things, it's like, 'How do you feel?'"
The Lions have opened two spots on the 53-man roster this week. One looks to be for wide receiver Kalif Raymond as he nears his return from IR, and the other could be for Anzalone. Friday's final injury report for the week will be telling about Anzalone's status for Sunday night.