“I’m gonna take that W!” Dan Campbell shrugs off Lions’ defensive injuries as HC focuses on winning
Head coach Dan Campbell is not worried about the mounting injuries on the Lions' defense.
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Dan Campbell (Image via IMAGO)
If there is one thing that Dan Campbell has firmly ingrained into the minds of his players in Detroit, it is the ‘no excuses’ mentality. The team has achieved immense success this season and is on track to finish with the best record in the NFC.
While the offense has been lights out, the team’s defense has fared well despite being plagued by injuries. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has lost many of his stars to injuries. Aidan Hutchinson was on track to have his best season but a broken tibia and fibula cast him out for the rest of the year, then linebacker Alex Anzalone, corner Terrion Arnold, defensive back Carlton Davis, and most recently linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez went down with injuries.
Rodriguez has sustained a season-ending ACL tear which is yet another setback for the Lions. However, the Head Coach does not view this as a disadvantage. Dan Campbell does not believe in loathing about things that are beyond his control.
Let me ask you this: Does it really matter? Like, who cares? That’s what I go back to: It doesn’t matter, It is or it isn’t, we get a guy back or we don’t get a guy back, worrying about it…what does it matter?
Dan Campbell said while addressing the media as reported by Pro Football Talk
Dan Campbell is counting on other players to step up
The Head Coach views this situation as an opportunity for the backup players to rise to the occasion and prove themselves. Dan Campbell trusts his defensive coordinator to make the best of the cards he is dealt.
Whoever we have available, we’re going to get them ready to play, and we expect them to hold the line. We’ve got defensive injuries and that makes us do something differently on offense and special teams, we’ll do that.
Dan Campbell added
Since new players will take the field it gives the Lions a chance to throw opposing offenses off-guard with different plays and strategies. The team has achieved immense success running trick plays on offense and a defense with players who the opponents have little to no film over gives them the edge.
Irrespective of the injuries, the only stat that Dan Campbell cares about is winning.
I will take a W. That’s division win No.3, which is huge in the race we’re in right now, and it’s win 11, and it’s another conference win. I feel good and I’m gonna take that W.
Dan Campbell continued
The team is in a great position right now. However, Detroit’s final stretch is not one without challenges. The team is set to face the Green Bay Packers whom they have beaten in Week 9 and the Buffalo Bills in the subsequent week.
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Sumedh Joshi
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