Former Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell, a Cedar Falls native and 2022 Butkus Award winner, is recovering in a hospital after suffering a frightening injury during the Detroit Lions' game against the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 1.
Early in the fourth quarter, Campbell was hurt while attempting a tackle. He was stretchered off the field and carted away, leaving players and fans on both sidelines visibly shaken. According to Yahoo Sports, the Lions offered their first public update on Monday.
“Jack Campbell continues to rest and recover at a local hospital,” the team said. “Preliminary indications are positive and out of respect for Jack and his family we will not share further information at this time.”
Lions coach: Campbell is improving
Lions head coach Dan Campbell, no relation to the player, spoke with reporters Monday after visiting with the family.
“Got to see his parents, talk to his wife,” Dan Campbell said. “Everybody's in good spirits. It's about the recovery. It's a small setback. That's the family, they're very positive.”
On Tuesday, the coach said his linebacker was “improving,” according to Hawk Central, though he offered no further details.
An Iowa legacy built on leadership
Before his NFL career, Jack Campbell built one of the most respected resumes in Iowa football history. A team captain under Kirk Ferentz, he recorded more than 300 tackles in a Hawkeye uniform and won the 2022 Butkus Award, given annually to the best linebacker in college football.
Ferentz addressed the situation at his weekly press conference Tuesday, as Sports Illustrated reported.
“I think all of you know just how impactful Jack was in our program,” Ferentz said. “What a tremendous person he is. What a tremendous player he's been for us and now he's moved on, done the same exact thing in Detroit. Not only playing really well but just a tremendous leader and tremendous addition. So, we're all keeping him in our thoughts and certainly hope everybody that's a Hawkeye fan does the same.”
A family connection on the current roster
The injury hits especially close to home in Iowa City. Campbell's younger brother, Drew, is a contributor on this year's Hawkeye defensive line, with 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks through eight games.
Teammates described a locker room rallying around Drew this week.
“It's super scary,” offensive lineman Trevor Lauck said. “Jack's obviously a great human. Great player, obviously, but even more now focused on him as a human. So we've just kind of been there for Drew when he needs it, but then also give him some space, I think, a little bit, too. Because it's obviously tough for him and his family right now. I know some guys have been checking in on him, but just also trying to give him some space and know that it's a tough time for him and his family. But definitely praying for him and hoping for good news, for sure.”
Defensive lineman Kenneth Merrieweather said the team is trying to be more than teammates to Drew right now.
“That type of stuff can be really hard on a player, especially going through what you're going through already with football,” Merrieweather said. “Having to deal with outside stuff like that, too, is really hard. So just being able to be there for Drew and lift up his spirits and be able to be, not just a good teammate, but a brother to him when he needs me.”
Another Hawkeye was in on the play
The Vikings player Campbell was tackling when he was injured was tight end T.J. Hockenson, another former Iowa standout from Chariton. The two never played together in college, but Hockenson made clear the bonds from the Hawkeye program run deeper than any rivalry.
“Prayers out to Jack Campbell and his family,” Hockenson said after the game. “I was in on that play. I didn't see what happened. But that's an Iowa guy. I know Jack. I just want to send good vibes to him and his family, his locker room. We're competitors, but at the end of the day, we're on the same team. We put our body on the line every Sunday.”
From Cedar Falls to All-Pro in Detroit
The Lions selected Campbell in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has spent his entire professional career in Detroit. He has appeared in 58 regular-season games over four seasons, nearly all of them as a starter, and earned All-Pro honors for the first time last season.
Defensive lineman Luke Gaffney, who spent one season as Campbell's teammate at Iowa, said the former captain set the standard for what the program expects.
“He kind of paved the way for us in terms of showing us and setting an example for what is to be expected from, not only coach (Phil) Parker, but from Iowa Hawkeyes, from coach (Kirk) Ferentz,” Gaffney said. “It's obviously awful regardless of how you twist and turn and look at it, whether that be a kid from another team, whether that be one of our own. It's just absolutely horrendous overall.”
Gaffney added that the Campbell family knows the Hawkeye program stands behind them.
“I think that, for the entire family, they know that they have the Hawkeye family behind them all the way,” Gaffney said. “It's definitely unfortunate to see one of our brothers go down like that. But ultimately, they have our utmost support, and I think that they know that we're all here for them.”
Ferentz noted that the program learned of the injury on Sunday, shortly after it happened, according to On3, and that the team's thoughts remain with the family as Jack Campbell continues his recovery.
FAQ
What happened to Jack Campbell?
Campbell, a former Iowa linebacker now with the Detroit Lions, was injured while making a tackle early in the fourth quarter of the Lions' game against the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 1. He was stretchered off the field and taken to a local hospital.
How is Jack Campbell doing now?
The Lions said on Nov. 3 that preliminary indications are positive and that Campbell continues to rest and recover at a local hospital. Head coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday the linebacker is improving.
Who is Jack Campbell's brother?
Drew Campbell, Jack's younger brother, plays defensive line for the Iowa Hawkeyes and has recorded 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks in eight games this season.