Malcolm Rodriguez
LB DET (6)
Tue 2/27/24 10:36 AM

Rodriguez recorded 22 tackles and one forced fumble over 17 regular-season games in 2023.
EDGE Analysis
After logging 584 defensive snaps during his rookie year, Rodriguez was given just 115 of them in 2023 thanks to Derrick Barnes seeing an expanded role alongside Alex Anzalone, with first-round pick Jack Campbell joining the fold as well. Given that each of the three starting linebackers are under contract in 2024, Rodriguez does not have a clear path to a bigger role in the near term, let alone come anywhere close to the 87 tackles he registered in 2022.

Malcolm Rodriguez
LB DET (6)
Mon 10/30/23 7:07 PM

Rodriguez (ankle) is active for Monday's game against the Raiders.
EDGE Analysis
Rodriguez injured his ankle in last week's loss to the Ravens and subsequently landed a questionable designation for Monday's game. Barring any setbacks, he looks ready to take on his usual workload.

Malcolm Rodriguez
LB DET (6)
Sun 10/22/23 3:46 PM

Rodriguez (ankle) exited Sunday's game against the Ravens and is listed as questionable.
EDGE Analysis
The second-year linebacker did not record a tackle before exiting. Rodriguez has seven tackles in seven games this season.

Malcolm Rodriguez
LB DET (6)
Wed 10/18/23 1:58 PM

Rodriguez did not log a defensive snap during Sunday's win over Tampa Bay.
EDGE Analysis
Rodriguez logged about a quarter of the defensive snaps over the first three games of the season, but the former Hard Knocks star has seen his role dwindle as first-round rookie Jack Campbell has seen his role expand. With Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes handling every other snap at linebacker, Rodriguez will likely see most of his work come on special teams for the foreseeable future.

Malcolm Rodriguez
LB DET (6)
Thu 7/27/23 3:30 PM

Rodriguez (undisclosed) has worked with the second-team defense during the majority of training camp practices this week, Dave Birkett of The Detroit Press reports.
EDGE Analysis
Rodriguez was dealing with an undisclosed injury earlier in spring and summer but he's since moved past the issue. The Oklahoma State product started 15 games for the Lions last year but now seems to be competing with Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes for the second starting linebacker spot alongside 2023 first-round pick Jack Campbell. As a rookie, Rodriguez tallied 87 tackles, including eight for loss, and one forced fumble.

Malcolm Rodriguez
LB DET (6)
Thu 6/1/23 3:27 PM

Rodriguez (undisclosed) was a non-participant at practice Thursday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
EDGE Analysis
Head coach Dan Campbell ruled out Rodriguez for practice Thursday after the linebacker left the team's open OTA last week with an unspecified injury. That being said, he is not believed to be dealing with anything serious and the Lions are likely just being cautious with his health.

Malcolm Rodriguez
LB DET (6)
Tue 3/14/23 2:03 PM

Rodriguez will continue to play alongside Alex Anzalone in 2023 and beyond, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
This limits the upside of the rising IDP prospect for the foreseeable future. However, linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard believes that the on-field support that Anzalone -- a defensive captain -- provided Rodriguez in 2022 made it easier for the latter to post impressive stat lines in the first place. While Anzalone's presence in the middle of the defense will nonetheless make it hard for Rodriguez to register elite IDP production going forward, it's still possible that Rodriguez could push for triple-digit tackles in 2023 after logging 87 as a rookie.

Malcolm Rodriguez
LB DET (6)
Sun 1/22/23 7:58 PM

Rodriguez totaled 87 tackles with one sack, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery over 16 games in 2023.
EDGE Analysis
It was an up-and-down season for the 5-foot-11 rookie drafted in the sixth round, but the good far outweighed the bad for Rodriguez, who finished fifth among all rookies in total tackles. While his stock is already on the rise, Rodriguez could become a highly attractive IDP option ahead of the 2023 campaign should he take over the middle linebacker role from incumbent Alex Anzalone, who is set to hit free agency.

Malcolm Rodriguez
LB DET (6)
Wed 11/16/22 5:58 PM

Rodriguez (elbow) was listed as a full participant on the Lions' injury report Wednesday.
EDGE Analysis
Rodriguez was limited with an elbow injury during each practice Week 10, leaving him sidelined for Sunday's win against the Bears. The rookie linebacker recorded 54 tackles, one sack, one pass defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery over the first eight games of the season, and he should reprise this starting role in Sunday's Week 11 contest versus the Giants.

Malcolm Rodriguez
LB DET (6)
Sun 11/13/22 12:07 PM

Rodriquez (elbow) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against Chicago.
EDGE Analysis
Rodriquez was a limited participant at each practice ahead of Week 10 due to an elbow injury and will miss his first game of the season. In his absence, Derrick Barnes and Jarrad Davis are candidates for increased roles.