Lions LB Jack Campbell says he has 'full movement' in his lower body - USA Today

The Detroit Lions' linebacker Jack Campbell released his first comments since sustaining a serious neck injury.

Campbell issued a statement through the team's X account on Nov. 4, announcing that he has full movement in his lower body and is continuing to make progress with movement in his upper body. It marks the first concrete update on the linebacker's condition since he suffered a neck injury during the Lions' Week 8 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 1.

Prior to his statement, the updates had been more general and left many concerned about Campbell's condition after he was carted off the field on a backboard.

The initial update from the team came in a statement on Nov. 2, saying preliminary results were positive as Campbell continued to rest and recover. Head coach Dan Campbell echoed that statement at his press conference a short time later and explained during a radio interview on Tuesday, Nov. 3 that the linebacker's condition is "improving."

Jack Campbell's injury occurred during the fourth quarter on Nov. 1, when making a tackle against Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson. He remained motionless on the ground after the hit, where he was attended to by training staff and medical personnel. The linebacker was eventually carted off the field and taken to a local Detroit hospital.

Jack Campbell issued a statement, via the Lions' X account on Nov. 4. Here it is, in its entirety:

My family and I want to sincerely thank everyone for the overwhelming amount of love, prayers, and support we’ve received over the past few days. It means more to us than words can express.

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.

My faith in God has never been stronger. I know He has a plan for me, and I trust in that plan. I know there may be challenges ahead, but with my faith, my family, and so many people in my corner, I know we’ll get through this.

I especially want to thank the athletic trainers and medical personnel who responded and cared for me on the field. I know those were difficult moments, and I’m incredibly grateful for the professionalism, compassion, and care you showed me. The way you handled everything and looked after me when I needed it most is something I’ll never forget. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

I also can’t say enough about the incredible care I’ve received from the medical team at Henry Ford Hospital and the Detroit Lions medical staff. They’ve been amazing to me and my family throughout this process, and I’m truly grateful for everything they’ve done.

To my teammates, coaches, and everyone in the Lions organization, I want you to know how much I love and appreciate you. This team is a family to me, and the way everyone has been there for me means everything. I’m proud to be a Detroit Lion and couldn’t ask to be surrounded by a better group of people.

One thing I’ve learned about Detroit is that this city is built on toughness, resilience, and grit. That’s exactly how I’m going to approach this challenge.

Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers. We feel the love, and I can’t thank everyone enough.

Campbell announced in a statement on Nov. 4 that he has full movement in his lower body. He is continuing to make progress with movement in his upper body.

It's the first concrete update on Campbell's condition since the injury occurred on Sunday, Nov. 1. Prior to Campbell's statement, the team had issued more general updates, saying that preliminary results were positive.

Jack Campbell announced in a statement on Nov. 4 that he has full movement in his lower body and is continuing to make progress with movement in his upper body.

Dan Campbell previously provided small update on Jack Campbell's status during a Tuesday, Nov. 3, radio appearance on 97.1 The Ticket.

"It's not easy because he's always going to be on our minds over here," Dan Campbell said of Jack Campbell, when addressing the Lions' preparation for Week 9. "The good news is he is improving."

The Lions coach made it clear he is providing his players with updates about Jack Campbell's status through the team's captains.

"I think the thought of him – knowing he's doing better, and I've kept the captains up to date, and they've let the other guys know its good news," Dan Campbell said, referencing how players were reacting to the situation. "I think that helps everybody just get a better handle on all this."

Campbell also added that he is trying to keep his players focused on their upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins, expressing concern that "bad things can happen" if players aren't able to be all-in on their gameday responsibilities.

"All we can do at this point is just continue to pray for Jack," Campbell said. "Put our thoughts on him when we have a minute, and on his family. And it's working, like I said. Because he's improving."

Dan Campbell met with the media on Nov. 4, where he spoke about the latest update on Jack Campbell. The head coach noted that it was a big deal to hear from the linebacker for the first time during this situation:

"Especially being able to hear it from him, that means a lot," Dan Campbell said. "That's powerful in itself, more than hearing it from me or anybody else. Those are his and his family's words. I know that always helps to know that he's improving because at this point, that's all you're looking for. To know that he's improving.

"The status is changing every eight hours, 10 hours in a good way. That's always going to help."

He noted that everyone with the team wants to see Jack, but it's not feasible at the moment.

As players continue to deal with the reality of the situation, Dan Campbell added that the Lions have resources if anyone wants to seek counseling.

"We have resources available that are available all the time here," he said. "I know that some of our guys are using those resources."

Jack Campbell continues to be top of mind for the team, but Dan Campbell also knows there is a game to be played in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins. The coach made sure to point out that there is no easy way to do this, but they plan to honor the linebacker in the way that he would want – by locking in on the next game.

"They're not postponing this game," Dan Campbell said. "And I know the only way to honor Jack, we know, the only way to honor Jack and what he really wants is to make sure that we're locked in and ready to go. Because otherwise, what just kinda came about, we're throwing it away in a sense. So, I think we owe it to him, we owe it to all of ourselves to make sure we're locked in and we make the most of this.

"It's a balancing act. You're humans. And you know it, you want to acknowledge it. It's a lot, but if that's weighing that heavy, and that's where your mind's at, it's not gonna be good going into this game. And that's where you get hurt as well."

Lions star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown addressed Campbell's injury during a recent podcast appearance, expressing his desire that people continue to pray for his teammate.

Of seeing Campbell lying face-down on the field, St. Brown said, "All I could think about was his wife and his newborn baby that he had a few months ago. I just want him to be OK to play with his kid, obviously, and be normal."

Dan Campbell's update mirrored the Lions' most recent injury update on their All-Pro linebacker, which came via a statement posted to social media on Monday, Nov. 2.

"Jack Campbell continues to rest and recover at a local hospital. Preliminary indications are positive and out of respect for Jack and his family we will not share further information at this time," the team said in its statement.

The Lions' head coach provided some good news when he took the podium for his press conference later in the day on Nov. 2. While Campbell didn't share any details about his team's linebacker, he told reporters things were generally positive.

"It's positive," Dan Campbell said. "Your prayers are working. Please continue to do that. We'll leave it at that, so continue to pray for him. But it is positive."

Pressed for more information, Campbell said he couldn't share anything else. He added that he briefed the Lions' captains on the linebacker's latest status after the coach visited him in the hospital, and he said the team "knows what's going on."

"I got to go see him last night," Dan Campbell said. "It was good, it was positive. I got to see his parents, talk to his wife. You know, everybody's in good spirits. It's about the recovery. It's a small setback. That's the family. They're very positive, so that's good in that regard."

Campbell went down with a neck injury after tackling Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson in the fourth quarter.

He stayed down as the training staff and medical personnel surrounded him and the cart arrived. Campbell was loaded onto a backboard before the cart took him off the field.

Lions teammates took a knee and looked concerned as staff attended to him. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was in tears while the game was paused.

The Lions announced late Sunday night that Campbell was resting and was scheduled to remain in a local hospital overnight for continued evaluation and monitoring.

He was transported to a local hospital to be evaluated for a neck injury after exiting the team's Week 8 win over the Vikings.

Head coach Dan Campbell didn't have an update on the linebacker after the game.

"Thoughts and prayers are with Jack and his family," the coach said. "He's being taken care of. We don't have any new information."

Campbell is a linebacker for the Detroit Lions.

The 26-year-old is in his fourth NFL season, all with Detroit. The Lions drafted Campbell with the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft after he starred in college for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

A native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Campbell broke out during his junior season with the Hawkeyes, totaling 143 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a sack in 2021. Returning for his senior season, Campbell was named an All-American in 2022 and received the Butkus Award as the top linebacker in college football.

He also received the William V. Campbell Trophy, also known as the "academic Heisman," in 2022 for being recognized as the college football player with the best combination of academics, leadership and on-field performance.

Campbell slid right in as a key piece of the Lions' defense after arriving in the NFL. However, he didn't officially break out until his third season. Campbell recorded 176 total tackles, three forced fumbles and five sacks en route to being named a first-team All-Pro and earning his first Pro Bowl appearance last season.

On May 21, 2026, the Lions recognized Campbell's breakout with a four-year, $81 million extension.

Prior to his injury in Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season, Campbell hadn't missed a game in his four-year career.

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