Derrick Barnes will remain out of the lineup in Week 12 as he continues to recover from the knee injury he sustained in September. The fourth-year linebacker faces the possibility of missing the remainder of the season, but he has left open the chance of returning in 2024.
Speaking to reporters, Barnes revealed his knee injury involved damage to the MCL and PCL, though his ACL remains intact. This positive detail leaves open the possibility of his rehabilitation progressing in time for him to return late in the regular season or during the playoffs.
At 25 years old, Barnes finds himself in a situation similar to that of teammate Aidan Hutchinson, with a late-season return being an outside chance.
“ACL was fine, so recovery obviously is shorter now than it would’ve been,” Barnes said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “Thank God I woke up and [the doctor] said he didn’t have to do anything with the ACL.”
Even if Barnes manages to return in 2024, his extended absence will likely impact his market value, especially as he approaches free agency.
The former fourth-round pick acknowledged that he considered the implications of his rookie contract expiring this offseason shortly after the injury. However, his primary focus remains on his rehabilitation.
A return to the field would allow him to contribute as a depth option in Detroit’s linebacking corps and bolster his case for a new deal in the spring.
Barnes experienced increased usage during the 2023 season, starting in all three of his appearances before the injury. He was expected to remain a key piece in Detroit’s linebacker rotation.
The Lions, currently holding an impressive 9-1 record and the top spot in the NFC, have dealt with multiple injuries at the position. Alex Anzalone is sidelined with a broken forearm, prompting the team to sign David Long.
While getting Barnes back would add another option at linebacker, Anzalone’s potential return could help fill the void if Barnes cannot play again this season.
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