Lions' Jack Campbell says he has 'full movement' in lower body

DETROIT — Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell has full movement in his lower body and is continuing to make progress with movement in his upper body, according to a statement he released through the team on Wednesday.

Campbell is continuing to make progress following a serious neck injury that forced him to be carted off the field and immediately hospitalized in a 19-15 win over the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on Nov. 1.

"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," the statement said.

"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."

On the opening play of the fourth quarter in Sunday's win, Campbell went limp on what appeared to be a routine tackle of tight end T.J. Hockenson and received on-field medical attention for several minutes before being carted off on a stretcher and taken immediately to a local hospital.

"My faith in God has never been stronger," Campbell's statement continued. "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.

"God is good. My faith is strong."

The statement is the first we've heard from Campbell since the injury.

Lions coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media shortly after the statement was provided on Wednesday afternoon.

"I think any time you (hear that), 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, so that's powerful, and I know that just always helps to know that he's improving.

"Because at this point, that's all you're looking for, is to just know that he's improving, and you know, this thing, the status is changing every eight hours, 10 hours, in a good way, you know? So that's always going to help."

Campbell said "some guys" have taken advantage of team "resources" in response to a question about whether players are receiving counseling over the incident.

As it pertains to moving on and facing Miami, Dan Campbell said there's "no easy way" to do that, but acknowledged that the best way to honor Jack Campbell's fight is by remaining focused on the team's upcoming game against the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.

"You have to acknowledge it, let's talk about it, and make sure we know. But I also know they're not postponing this game, and I know the only way to honor Jack — we know — the only way to really honor Jack on what he really wants, is to make sure that we're locked in and ready to go," Dan Campbell said.

"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. So, it's balancing, man. 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 going to be good going into this game, and that's where you get hurt as well."

The Lions released a statement at 7:08 p.m. on Sunday that Campbell was resting and would remain at the hospital for continued evaluation and monitoring. Before Dan Campbell's Monday press conference the following day, the Lions released a statement at 2:31 p.m. on Monday, saying "preliminary indications" were "positive" but did not share specifics about Jack Campbell's progress.

Dan Campbell said on Monday he and many of Jack Campbell's Lions teammates visited him in the hospital.

"I got to go see him last night. It was good. It was positive," Dan Campbell said. "Got to see his parents, talk to his wife. And everybody's in good spirits. And it's about the recovery and (they believe) it's a small setback. That's the family. They're very positive. So, that's good in that regard.”

Jack Campbell is a team captain and one of the most important players on Detroit's defense. The No. 18 pick in the 2023 NFL draft was named a First-Team All-Pro for the first time last season and rewarded with a four-year, $81 million extension this past offseason, which keeps him in Detroit through 2030.

Lions All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown shared his account of the incident on the "St. Brown Podcast," a weekly show he does with his brother and former NFL receiver Equanemious St. Brown.

"I think injuries is something that makes this game so tough, and so real at the same time. Because I remember being out there on the field watching him, seeing him on the ground from a distance, and all I could think about was his wife and his newborn baby that he just had, what, a few months ago?" St. Brown said. "I just want him to be OK to be able to play with his kid, honestly, and be normal.

"When things like that happen throughout the game or throughout the season, it does make it hard. I feel like for us to go back and play, it’s like, damn, we took care of him, put him on a stretcher, sent him out, back to the hospital, and now we’ve got to go play again. That kinda sucks, I feel like it. But it’s what I signed up for, it’s what we signed up for him. We get paid a lot of money to play this sport that we love, and so we’ve got to finish the game and things like that.

"But I think injuries like that, it makes you put things in perspective. I think he has done that for a lot of us on our team. I’m thinking about Jack, we’re all thinking about Jack. We hope he continues to get better. All we can do is pray for him.”

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