The Detroit Lions placed linebacker Alex Anzalone, who suffered a broken left forearm against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, on injured reserve Monday. They also added some depth at the position in David Long, signing the sixth-year linebacker to the practice squad.
Anzalone is expected to be out six to eight weeks, and the Lions are already down Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck) for at least the next two games. Other linebackers on the roster, a group that now includes Long, including Jack Campbell, Malcolm Rodriguez, Trevor Nowaske, Ben Niemann and Ezekiel Turner, will have to take on larger roles.
Long started his career with the Tennessee Titans, where he spent four seasons after they selected him No. 188 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Long then signed a two-year deal with the Miami Dolphins in March 2023 and started every game the following season, posting 113 tackles.
The 28-year-old Long entered 2024 as a starter, but he lost his role — he only played on special teams in Weeks 9 and 10, per Pro Football Focus — and was released last Wednesday.
Long has 381 tackles (26 for loss), 15 pass deflections, four interceptions, three forced fumbles and a sack in 75 career appearances (49 starts).