Brandon Marshall Recalls Terrifying Injuries After Jack Campbell Scare

Marshall described the shock of seeing a teammate suffer a major injury during a game or practice, but said players must refocus once play resumes. He spoke after Campbell was stretchered off during Detroit’s game against Minnesota on November 2 following a collision involving Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson and two Lions defenders, including Campbell.

Marshall recalled two earlier incidents. In 2007, while he played for Denver, teammate Dominic Hixon was brought down by Kevin Everett, who suffered a neck and spine injury. Doctors were uncertain whether Everett would walk again, but he eventually did. Marshall also remembered UCF defensive lineman Paul Carrington being flown to a hospital after a practice injury before the 2005 season. Carrington returned to play the full season and recorded nine sacks, leading Conference USA.

Marshall said such moments leave players shaken and concerned for the injured person, but football’s demands require them to move forward quickly. He noted the contrast between the emotional response and the need to resume playing.

Detroit said initial signs about Campbell’s condition were encouraging, but declined to release more information, citing his privacy and that of his family. Coach Dan Campbell asked people to continue praying for the linebacker and said seeing him remain on the ground was especially difficult because he was not someone who typically stayed down.

The Lions coach said the team had to regain its focus, though doing so was not easy. The team’s public update on Campbell remained limited.