Lions’ Campbell says he has full movement in lower body
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ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -- Detroit Lions All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell said he has full movement in his lower body and is “continuing to make progress with movement in my upper body,” in his first comments since he was carted off the field on a backboard during a game against Minnesota.
“I know there’s still work ahead, but I remain very optimistic,” Campbell said Wednesday in a statement released by the team. “I’m taking things one day at a time, staying positive, and focusing on getting better.”
Campbell suffered a neck injury early in the fourth quarter of a 19-15 win over the Vikings on Sunday. He was alert when he was taken to the hospital, where he has been recovering since his injury.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said it was powerful that Jack Campbell updated his improving condition himself, shortly before the team’s previously scheduled news conferences with coaches and players.
“That’s good news. That’s positive news,” Dan Campbell said. “We’re all thankful for that.”
Jack Campbell was face down on the turf and not moving after hitting Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson. He was evaluated by medical personnel before being strapped to a board and carefully lifted onto the cart to a round of applause.
“I especially want to thank the athletic trainers and medical personnel who responded and cared for me on the field,” Jack Campbell said. “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.”
The former Iowa star was drafted by the Lions with the 18th overall pick in 2023. Last season, he was an All-Pro selection after becoming the first NFL player in seven years to have 150-plus tackles and at least five sacks and three forced fumbles.
Jack Campbell’s condition has been closely followed since Sunday, a fact that he has felt.
“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,” he said. “It means more to us than words can express.”
The Lions (5-2) play at Miami (1-6) on Sunday.
“The best thing we can do is play the way he would want us to play and honor him that way,” Lions quarterback Jared Goff said.
EAGLES MAKE QB CHANGE
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia Eagles are turning to Joe Milton as their starting quarterback Sunday against the New York Giants, making the move Wednesday after coach Nick Sirianni had said 48 hours earlier that Tanner McKee was their guy and a change at the position was not coming.
Players told reporters that they were informed by the coaching staff during a meeting.
Milton, 26, has appeared in five NFL games in relief, including Dallas’ season finale at the Giants in January, when he was 7 of 13 for 73 yards and an interception.
“I feel for Tanner and his situation,” tight end Dallas Goedert said. “I don’t think he played terrible. I think they’re trying to do anything to find a spark.”
McKee went 0-3 since taking over as the starter when Jalen Hurts was sidelined for the season because of blood clots. During his news conference Wednesday, Sirianni did not let on about demoting McKee and promoting Milton.
“I think he’s worked really hard,” Sirianni said when asked about McKee. “I know the developmental periods always help to be able to run our plays, but he works extremely hard. He’s always in the building doing the extra things, and I like his progression.”
Philadelphia has lost six in a row after winning its first two games. The chance to end this skid comes against NFC East-leading New York, which also has a former Michigan quarterback starting in J.J. McCarthy.
“J Milly, I love that guy,” McCarthy said after Giants practice in East Rutherford, New Jersey. “Definitely super proud of him for this opportunity. He’s got a big arm, obviously uber talented, could run.”
Giants coach John Harbaugh said he and his staff found out about Milton starting before getting on the field.
“Word travels fast,” Harbaugh said. “It’s not so different than the previous quarterback they had. You just watch the plays. We’ve seen Joe in college. We’ve seen him in the preseason. We’ve seen the little bit he’s played in the regular season. We’ll be watching those clips of those guys the next couple of days.”
Doug Williams and Robert Kraft are among 5 contributor candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame
WILLIAMS, KRAFT AMONG 5 CONTRIBUTOR CANDIDATES FOR HOF
Doug Williams, who was MVP of Super Bowl 22, is among five contributor candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Williams, the first Black quarterback to start in a Super Bowl, is joined by Patriots owner Robert Kraft, late Bears owner Virginia McCaskey, longtime NFL player, scout and personnel executive John Wooten and former Canton Bulldogs owner Ralph Hay.
The list was announced Wednesday by the Canton, Ohio-based Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Members of the Hall’s contributor subcommittee made their selections from an original field of 42 nominees. The subcommittee will select one candidate to be considered when the Hall’s selection committee determines a new class of enshrinees in early 2027.
The final list of candidates will include one contributor, one coach and 13 players. The group will be reduced to 10 and then seven candidates, with all 15 in the same category.
A 25-person selection committee will be able to vote for six people, with 80% of support needed. The Hall said that would lead to a range of three to seven Hall of Famers each year, with by far the most likely number to get the necessary support being either five or six people.
Williams was the 17th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1978 NFL draft. He joined the Washington Redskins in 1986 as a backup and stepped in when starter Jay Schroeder was injured the following season for an impressive playoff run. Williams threw four touchdown passes in a 42-10 victory over Denver in the Super Bowl.
He has spent the past 13 seasons working in Washington’s front office after stints with the Jaguars and Buccaneers.
Kraft has owned the Patriots since 1994. His teams have won six Super Bowls and played in five others.
McCaskey was the Bears’ principal owner from 1983 until her death in 2025 at age 102. She’s the daughter of team founder George Halas. The Bears won Super Bowl 20 during her tenure and played in another one.
Wooten was a two-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman during nine seasons with Cleveland and Washington and won an NFL title with the Browns. He worked in scouting and player personnel roles with the Cowboys, Eagles and Ravens for nearly three decades. Since 2003, Wooten has been chair of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, a group working to advance opportunities for minorities in coaching and front-office positions across pro football.
Hay owned the Canton Bulldogs from 1918-1922. He hosted the NFL’s formational meeting in his automobile dealership in downtown Canton.
The Hall changed the definition of the contributor category this year to allow consideration of a player and coaching career, along with contributions from off the field.