Alex Anzalone injury update: Surprising development emerges ahead of SNF vs. Vikings

The Detroit Lions (14-2) have been ravaged by injuries this season, but their defense will receive a huge lift in Sunday’s regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings (14-2).

Linebacker Alex Anzalone, sidelined since Week 11 with a broken left forearm, is active and will be in the lineup against the Vikings.

Anzalone, 30, is one of the leaders of the Lions’ defense, and his presence in the middle of the field has been missed. He is fifth on the Lions with 56 tackles (40 solo), along with seven tackles for loss, one sack and four passes defended.

Anzalone has a metal plate under the scar on his left forearm. He practiced this week with a carbon-fiber cast on his arm, which he will wear during the game. Initially thought to be out six to eight weeks, Anzalone is back after seven. While Anzalone admitted he doesn’t trust his forearm 100%, he and the Lions have deemed him good enough to play in a must-win football game.

Alex Anzalone’s return timely for Detroit Lions

“Obviously, the doctors and the trainers, they kind of go through what the risks are of waiting a week, waiting two weeks, going through practice and maybe let it spend next week or the week after that or this week [healing],” Anzalone said earlier this week, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “So, I think that for me personally, I think it’s like, OK, say if something did happen, would I be OK not playing in the Super Bowl?

“So, I think that that’s kind of the decision I have to make in my own head and is it worth it and how do I feel going over these next few practices and go from there. Cause I haven’t practiced in six weeks, so I’m just using my arm and seeing how it goes.”

The winner of the Sunday Night Football game will earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Detroit has allowed 30 or more points in three of its past four games, so Anzalone’s return is coming at a good time.

“There’s always a risk,” Anzalone said. “I’m not going to go through the science of it, but it’s just one of those things where it’s at a certain point you just weigh the risk and go from there.”