Given the recent changes in the Detroit Lions' linebacker room, Derrick Barnes will be a key figure for the 2026 season. Alex Anzalone departed in the offseason and rookie Jimmy Rolder will miss some time due to a recent hamstring injury.
According to Detroit Lions senior writer and insider Tim Twentyman, Barnes has been expanding his role on defense.
Through the first couple days of training camp, we've seen Barnes play an increased role in passing downs when the Lions are in nickel (five defensive backs and two linebackers). He had the biggest play for Detroit's defense during Thursday's practice when he stepped in front of and intercepted a Jared Goff pass intended for tight end Sam LaPorta in a team period. - Tim Twentyman, DetroitLions.com
"The way our defense is designed on that play, the position I'm playing, the job I'm doing on that specific play, it's kind of hard to see where I am in the coverage we're in and what my role is for the quarterback," Barnes said of last week's interception.
"I was kind of reading JG (Goff) a little bit, his eye progression, seeing a few routes coming across the field and I was like, 'Maybe I can just get in the window.' Really just did my job."
#play #twentyman
According to Detroit Lions senior writer and insider Tim Twentyman, Barnes has been expanding his role on defense.
Through the first couple days of training camp, we've seen Barnes play an increased role in passing downs when the Lions are in nickel (five defensive backs and two linebackers). He had the biggest play for Detroit's defense during Thursday's practice when he stepped in front of and intercepted a Jared Goff pass intended for tight end Sam LaPorta in a team period. - Tim Twentyman, DetroitLions.com
"The way our defense is designed on that play, the position I'm playing, the job I'm doing on that specific play, it's kind of hard to see where I am in the coverage we're in and what my role is for the quarterback," Barnes said of last week's interception.
"I was kind of reading JG (Goff) a little bit, his eye progression, seeing a few routes coming across the field and I was like, 'Maybe I can just get in the window.' Really just did my job."
#play #twentyman
5 hours ago
