Alex Anzalone Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Lions LB Alex Anzalone (ankle) is active for today's game against the Cardinals. DE Michael Brockers (knee) and LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (shoulder) are also active. The presence of Anzalone and Reeves-Maybin likely keeps LB Josh Woods from being IDP relevant after 2 straight weeks of nice tackle production. This is a defense to avoid if possible in IDP lineups.

Lions MLB Alex Anzalone left Sunday's loss to the Broncos in the 1st half with an ankle injury. In his absence, Josh Woods led Detroit LBs in playing time at 94% and racked up a game-high 13 tackles. Rookie Derrick Barnes followed at 69%, with LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin inactive.

Lions HC Dan Campbell confirmed Thursday reports that the team is trying to trade LB Jamie Collins. That makes sense as Detroit tries to go younger at the position. The Lions reportedly plan to increase playing time for rookie LB Derrick Barnes beginning this week. Alex Anzalone still looks like the best bet for snaps for the time being, though we'll see just how much Detroit is looking to change things up. No Lions LB is especially attractive for IDP use right now. Collins could be a low-cost upside option in a new setting.

Chris Burke of The Athletic believes that Lions MLB Alex Anzalone "almost certainly" will be wearing the green-dot helmet and calling defensive plays come the regular season. "Anzalone could be out there for close to 100 percent of the snaps (health willing)," Burke adds. Anzalone has history with HC Dan Campbell and DC Aaron Glenn from their shared time in New Orleans. Injuries limited Anzalone's playing time there. The 2 (of 4) seasons in which he played all 16 games found Anzalone staying on the field for just 47.2% and 50.2% of snaps. It sounds like he's headed for a lot more with these Lions, which makes Anzalone an intriguing pick at the end of IDP fantasy football drafts.