The recent injury losses of linebackers Jack Campbell (spinal cord) and Jimmy Rolder (hamstring) have put the spotlight on other Detroit Lions linebackers who will be asked to step up.
Long-time NFL special-teamer, Amen Ogbongbemiga, is one of them. He has been with the Lions since early August and has appeared in five games this season - all snaps coming on special teams.
This Sunday against the Dolphins, Amen may see his first action on defense this year. He suffered a toe injury last game, but that looks to be minor, as he is cleared to play.
For the full roster health overview, visit my Lions Injury Tracker.
Medical concern level ranges from 0 (🟢low) to 5 (🟡moderate) to 10 (🔴high).
(Age in parentheses is factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information and are unverified - subject to update. Games played data includes playoffs & courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Amen Ogbongbemiga, LB (28)
🟡Medical Concern Level: 5/10
2026: Toe injury, no missed time.
2025: 9 games. Shoulder injury, no missed time. Started year on IR with knee injury, missed 8 games. Missed 1 game with hamstring, and 1 game with concussion.
2024: 17 games
2023: 15 games
2022: 18 games
2021: 15 games
Ogbongbemiga displayed excellent reliability in his first four seasons. However, last season saw him banged up with multiple injuries to various body parts. The most concerning residual moving forward is the unspecified knee injury that cost him about two months of the season.
This year, after appearing in five games all on special teams, he’s dealing with a toe injury. At this point, the toe appears to be a short-term, minor issue that won’t cause missed time.
The multitude of injuries in the past two seasons along with an age in the late 20s raise reliability concerns.
With only 3 starts on defense in his career and most of his action coming on special teams, Amen hasn’t had the opportunity to log many stats. In his NFL career (including this season with the Lions), he has totaled 0 interceptions, 0 forced fumbles, 1 pass defense, 2 sacks, 3 QB hits, and 70 total tackles.
Devin White and Joe Bachie are two other Lions linebackers contending for a significantly increased role. Devin White is currently recovering from a forearm fracture but should be ready to play in about three weeks. Here were their medical reports at the time of signing…
Devin White Medical Report + Rolder & McNeill Injury Updates
The Lions signed LB Devin White today, which correspondingly raised concern for LB Jimmy Rolder who left practice yesterday with an unspecified leg injury.
Lions 2026 Free Agency: Joe Bachie, LB
After the 2026 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions have continued to be active in free agency by landing LB Joe Bachie. While the Lion LB starters Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes are solid, there is room for competition among the backups.