The Detroit Lions are rallying around a new motto, "Play like 46," in the wake of linebacker Jack Campbell's serious neck injury. Campbell, 26, was injured during the second half of the Lions' 19-15 victory over the Vikings on Sunday when he attempted to tackle tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Campbell remained on the field motionless after the collision and was subsequently transported to a hospital. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard stated that the team adopted the new mantra after an emotional meeting on Wednesday. "Every day I wake up, 'What would 46 want me to do today? Would he want us to sulk and feel sorry?' I can guarantee y’all know Jack. Absolutely not," Sheppard told reporters.
Sheppard added that Campbell would be displeased if the team was dwelling on his injury. "He’ll be pissed off if he found out guys are crying and guys are like, about him. That’s just his makeup and that’s what makes him the person that he is," he said. The defensive coordinator emphasized that honoring Campbell means preparing and playing with the same intensity and focus he brought to the game. "The way you honor him is to wipe those tears from your eyes and make sure we prepare and play like him. So, that’s the theme moving forward to this week."
There is some encouraging news regarding Campbell's recovery. He released a statement Wednesday expressing optimism. "I’m incredibly encouraged by the progress I’ve made in such a short period of time. I have full movement in my lower body, and I’m continuing to make progress with movement in my upper body. I know there’s still work ahead, but I remain very optimistic. I’m taking things one day at a time, staying positive, and focusing on getting better," the statement read.
Campbell, who was the 18th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has been a starter since his rookie season. He earned Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors in 2025 after recording five sacks, three forced fumbles, and 176 tackles. This season, he has accumulated 57 tackles and a fumble recovery. Campbell remains hospitalized, and no timetable has been given for his return to football activities.