Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is providing a hopeful update on linebacker Jack Campbell’s hospitalization after his on-field injury.
“It’s not easy because he’s gonna always be on our minds over here,” Dan, 50, said during an appearance on “Costa and Jansen with Heather” on Detroit’s 97.1 The Ticket on Tuesday, November 3, per The Athletic. “The good news is he is improving, but we also — we got a job to do, and this is what we’re tasked with, and there’s a reason why we go through all this stuff.
He continued, “It’s to get to where we wanna go collectively as a team, and adversity comes in all shapes and sizes and we gotta overcome everything that comes our way.”
Jack, 26, appeared motionless after a tackle against Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson during the Sunday, November 1, game at Detroit’s Ford Field. He was then transported off the field, where wife Megan Campbell was seen meeting him. Jack was subsequently taken to a local hospital.
The team provided an update on Jack’s condition on Monday, November 2, sharing that the linebacker “continues to rest and recover” at the hospital and that “preliminary indications are positive.” The Lions, however, declined to share further information at the time “out of respect for Jack and his family.”
Dan, for his part, has been communicative with the team’s captains about Jack’s health and they have conveyed the latest updates with the rest of the Lions crew.
“I think the thought of him — knowing he’s doing better — I’ve kept the captains up to date and they’ve let the other guys know it’s good news,” Dan, who is not related to Jack despite their shared last name, said on Tuesday. “So, I think that helps everybody just get a better handle on all this. Once you know that, then you gotta move on for yourself, too, in that moment because if you let things wander and you drift and you worry a little and then you’re trying to play or prepare, that’s where bad things can happen to you because you’re not all in on what you need to be doing.”
Dan continued, “So, that’s why it’s important that you get back to your own business. All we can do at this point is just continue to pray for Jack, put our thoughts on him when we have a minute, and his family, and it’s working, like I said, because he is improving.”
