At the start of training camp, the Detroit Lions got some bad luck. Fourth-round pick Jimmy Rolder suffered a hamstring injury that coach Dan Campbell described it as something that will keep him out “a while,” but wasn’t a season ender. Another report suggested it wasn’t a severe injury, but that he’ll still “miss some time.”
Well, this week we got some news directly from the source, and it’s a lot more optimistic than those two updates. On an appearance on “Xs and Bros” podcast with Matt Shepard, Rolder himself gave an update that could drastically change how the Lions’ linebacker room shapes out.
“Leg is getting better. We’re definitely making some strides. I’ll be back out there in a week—week or so. We’ll see,” Rolder said.
Now, Rolder isn’t exactly clear on whether being “out there” means regularly working with a trainer or truly returning to practice, but it’s still a significant and positive development for the rookie linebacker.
If Rolder returns to practice before the end of training camp, he’ll almost assuredly avoid being placed on injured reserve, where he’d be forced to miss the first four games of the season. That would drastically change the look of the linebacker room, which currently includes a competitive group of veterans fighting for a spot. While Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Devin White feel like locks, if Rolder makes the 53-man roster without going to IR, he could threaten the spots for Damone Clark and Trevor Nowaske, among others.
We’ll see just how quickly Rolder returns to the field and if he’ll avoid the IR soon. Roster cuts are due on Aug. 30, less than two weeks away.