Players and coaches with the Detroit Lions cried on the field and struggled through questions with the media after linebacker Jack Campbell was taken to an area hospital with a scary neck injury during Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Campbell was face down on the field, motionless, for several minutes before being eventually placed on a backboard and carted off the field.
Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson fought off tears as medical staff tended to his teammate. The emotions remained raw after the game, which Detroit won 19-15.
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“That sucks. That’s the bad part about this game is seeing that happen to people,” Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge told reporters. “Yeah, that’s the sucky part of this game. He’ll be in our prayers. All we can do now is pray, hope for the best. But you hate to see that happen to anybody, especially one of your teammates.”
The emotions were similar on the other sideline, as Vikings players similarly took to a knee after Campbell’s injury.
“We’re all players at the end of the day. We’re all on the same team, even when we’re competing against each other,” Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson said. “It’s hard to see a guy go down like that. … There’s a lot of prayers coming out of this locker room to them and to him and his family.”
Lions coach Dan Campbell could not provide detailed updates about his linebacker’s health on Sunday night. The team did not confirm whether he had feeling in his extremities, but noted that he would remain hospitalized overnight.
“We’re thinking about him,” the coach said after the game. He’s expected to address the media again at 3 p.m. Monday.
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