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Dan Campbell jokes Alex Anzalone has to 'be able to do a handstand' to play vs. Vikings
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- Dan Campbell jokes Alex Anzalone has to 'be able to do a handstand' to play vs. Vikings
Alex Anzalone could return from a broken forearm for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings if things go well in practice this week.
Anzalone took part in the Detroit Lions ' walk-through Wednesday, and Lions coach Dan Campbell said Thursday will be "a really big day for us to see where he's at."
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) tackles Tennessee Titans running back Julius Chestnut (36) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.
Asked Thursday during his weekly radio appearance on WXYT-FM (97.1) what hurdles Anzalone needs to clear to play Sunday, Campbell had fun with the question.
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"Well, he's got to be able to do a handstand. He's got to be able to do a handstand press-up. And then really a version of a jumping jack on his hands," Campbell said to cackles from co-host Mike Stone. "If he can do that, we're going to play that guy."
Anzalone broke his forearm Nov. 17 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and initially was given a six- to eight-week timetable for recovery.
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Campbell said Thursday he's "hopeful" Anzalone will play this week.
"I hope so," he said. "I hope so. He was at walk-through yesterday, he's going to practice today."
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Campbell also addressed kicker Jake Bates going viral after TV cameras caught him stretching awkwardly on the sideline in Monday night's win over the San Francisco 49ers.
"I've heard about it, I have not seen the clip," Campbell said. "But I mean, it's like any athlete does, they're trying to loosen up their body, get the knots out, get ready to perform and unfortunately everybody in America gets to see one thing here or there or a facial expression and then everybody jumps on it. So, it's all good. We got a damn good kicker and I don't care how many faces he makes when he rolls on a muscle, he keeps kicking the way he is, we're going to be just fine."
Dave Birkett is the author of the new book, " Detroit Lions : An Illustrated Timeline." Order your copy here. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions' Dan Campbell talks Anzalone return, Bates meme in 97.1 spot
