Detroit, MI

Everything Dan Campbell Said After Detroit Lions Loss to Steelers

Published

8 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Everything Dan Campbell Said After Detroit Lions Loss to Steelers

Here is everything head coach Dan Campbell said postgame, following the Detroit Lions 29-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Opening Statement: “Credit to those guys, (Steelers Head Coach Mike) Coach Tomlin, you know, they won that game, so. You know, look, it’s frustrating. I was proud of the way the guys fought, we fought our way back in that. We had an opportunity to win the game, which is ultimately what you want. But we weren’t able to close it out. At the end of the day, that’s on us. We did that. We’re the ones who put ourselves in that position where we had to try to score on the last play. But some of the efforts were outstanding, and it was just too little too late. A lot of – we just didn’t make enough plays.”

On the offensive pass interference penalty on the final play: “I mean, I don’t even want to get into it. Because it’s not going to change anything, we still lost. It’s – I mean look, you think you score, you don’t score, and then you think you’re going to have another play. Replay it or back it up, one more shot. And it doesn’t. And that’s just, I guess that’s the way it’s written in the rulebook. So that’s frustrating. But there again, it should never come to that. We had our opportunities. We weren’t able to put it in before that play.”

On why it was difficult to get the run game going: “Yeah, just couldn’t quite get it going, man. You know, made some hay in the pass game, (Lions QB Jared) Goff was in a good place, our receivers were making plays, that’s kind of where our explosives were showing up, and so, you know, went that route. And then we come out, and really in the third quarter we only had those three plays. And that was it for the third, and then we were down two scores. So, now you’re definitely throwing it. So, just didn’t make enough – certainly, I wish we could have run it more, I would love to run the ball a little bit more than that. A lot more than that. It just wasn’t one of those days.”

On the Steelers playing better today: “I can’t argue with that. Look, the ground game says it. I mean, they’re rushing. They rushed it, they had a lot more carries. And some of that was, you know, our defense was on the field for a while. And when you’re able to convert and stay on the field a while then you can kind of bounce from run to run to run, to play-pass, to – it just opens your offense up. And that’s what they’re able to do. And they can. You run a play, you get the look. You run the opposite of that and see how they respond, and then you get a look. And we just weren’t able to do it and they were. I can’t, they got after us. I mean, they rushed for over 200 yards. And only 15 for us.”

On if he agreed with the penalty on Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown on the final play: “I didn’t see it. I couldn’t even see. Man, I was looking at the protection, and (Lions QB Jared) Goff, and then I saw the catch.”

On St. Brown deciding to pitch the ball to Lions QB Jared Goff on the final play: “Yeah, it was a headsy play, man. He wasn’t down, and just to stay alive for the last play, man. That’s what (Lions WR Amon-Ra) Saint (Brown) is, he’s a freaking smart, instinctive player. Gave us one more shot, we thought, but it didn’t work out.”

On the explanation for the offensive pass interference call on Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa: “Just that. They said he, it was, you know, that it was OPI. He ran into the defensive back, or whoever it was. Which, I mean, there’s nothing you can do. They see what they see. And I didn’t see that one either, so I have no idea.”

On if he regrets not kicking a field goal early: “No.”

On how the substitutions on both sides of the ball have taken a toll on the team: “Well, I don’t – you know what, here’s the – you love having guys that are there every week, of course. Because you get used to it, and you build a rapport, and you’re all on the same page. But that’s – man, we’ve lived this for three years. We should be better than that, you know. We’ve got to get our guys ready. We can do better. Every team’s got injuries in this league. Most of them have some type of injuries. You’ve got an injury bug somewhere. And as coaches we’re charged with having those guys ready, make sure we’re on point. The substitutions, the whole thing, that’s what we’ve got to do. And I know this guy, (Steelers QB Aaron) Rodgers, is really good about messing with you on third downs and stuff. You know, they roll out, and see if you’re substituting, then he gets back on the ball. And we talked about it, we worked it this week, and they got us a couple times. But, you know, you’ve just got to have those guys ready, that are going to play for you, and then you try to help them with the call. As much as you can reduce the burden on them, and make calls that help them too, that’s what you’re trying to do.”

On where the team stands right now: “I mean, look. It’s frustrating. We just lost two in a row, you know. That’s the worst – I don’t know. I don’t know what all of this is or isn’t. I know we’ve got two left. And I just want to see us finish. I just want to finish, our style of football, with two to go, man. You know, and try to play four straight quarters of good football. Clean football. Efficient football. That’s what I want to do. And we’ve got a short week now. We’ve got Minnesota, we’re back in tomorrow. I’ve got to have a game plan ready for these guys and we’ve got to be ready to go out to Minneapolis and put it all together and execute.”

On how the diminishing playoff hopes will affect his message to the team: “Yeah, I mean kind of what I just said is what I told them. We’ve got two to go. I just, I want to see us play with our identity. With what we are and what we’re about. We’re big boys in this league, man. You pull your pants up and you go to work. And you can’t feel sorry for yourself. It doesn’t mean it doesn’t sting, it doesn’t feel bad. But we have nobody to blame but ourselves. It’s on us, and it’s also on us to finish. We’ve got two to go.”

On the lack of consistency in being able to string together four good quarters: “There’s a lot of errors, man, that have popped up. We’ve got some mental errors here or there, or a lack of self-discipline. And look, ultimately, I put that stuff on me, man. That’s on me. There’s no other way to cut it, other than it’s the head coach. So, you know. It’s on me, man.”

Lions fan says DK Metcalf swung at him after he used star’s full name

Published

20 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Lions fan says DK Metcalf swung at him after he used star’s full name

Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver DK Metcalf took a swing at a Detroit Lions fan at the game at Ford Field on Sunday, Dec. 21.

In the second quarter, CBS cameras caught Metcalf getting into an altercation with a Lions fan holding some Steelers attire while hanging over the ledge.

It’s not clear what led up to the incident, but Metcalf eventually threw a punch in the direction of the Lions fan. It wasn’t a direct hit, but there was some contact.

The Free Press tracked down the fan in the stands, who said he was “a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby.”

“My words don’t matter because it was on camera,” they added.

When initially asked what his name was, the fan said, “My name is ‘Biggest Detroit Lions Fan Ever that got attacked by DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf.’”

After getting further pressed, the fan said his name was Ryan Kennedy and that he’s from Pinckney, Michigan.

“What, my full name isn’t is DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf,” Kennedy said. “He doesn’t like his government name. I called him that and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt. I’m a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby.”

The fan was not thrown out of the game, per the Lions. Lions officials talked to him about the incident.

The NFL said in a statement it cannot intervene for an ejection of Metcalf.

“There was no flag on the field, so New York cannot weigh in with regard to a potential disqualification,” the NFL said in the statement.

CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson was watching the area when the incident happened.

“He came over because the fan in the stands was holding a ‘4’ Pittsburgh jersey, he went over and the fan said something to him,” Wolfson said on the broadcast. “Obviously, Metcalf did not like what he said and you saw the swipe there. No Steelers came over to him and mentioned anything, we’ll see if the league takes action, guys.”

After the Lions scored a touchdown in the second quarter, CBS rules official Gene Steratore said referees can’t do anything to remove Metcalf from the game or penalize him.

It’ll be “delivered to compliance,” which could potentially suspend or fine him in the future.

Free Press Lions reporter Dave Birkett contributed to this reporting.

Andrew Birkle is an assistant sports editor for the Free Press. Contact him via email at abirkle@freepress.com.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Tigers drop young hitter to make room for bullpen signing

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Detroit Tigers drop young hitter to make room for bullpen signing

DETROIT — When the Detroit Tigers formally added right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan to the roster on Saturday, it prompted a tough decision: Who would get dropped in the corresponding move?

Less than halfway through the winter, the Tigers are running out of easy cuts.

The Tigers elected to designate for assignment Justyn-Henry Malloy, a popular young designated hitter who was consistently excellent in Triple-A and had bursts of success in the big leagues.

Although the Tigers can keep Malloy in their system if he clears waivers, it’s far more likely that he’s claimed or traded in the coming days.

Finnegan’s contract is a two-year deal worth a guaranteed $19 million.

He’ll earn $8.75 million in 2026 and $8 million in 2027. There’s a mutual option for 2028 worth $10 million that can be bought out for $2.25 million.

Finnegan was acquired by the Tigers from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline and rattled off 14 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings, striking out 19 and walking just three. After a brief stint on the injured list, he was less effective upon his return in late September, striking out only three of 30 batters he faced in the postseason.

Finnegan, 34, was born in Detroit but grew up in Texas. He had spent his entire big-league career with the Nationals before the trade in July.

Drafted by the Oakland Athletics out of Texas State in 2013, Finnegan never reached the majors in that organization. He signed with Washington as a minor-league free agent before the 2020 season and posted a 3.66 ERA over 329 innings with 108 career saves with the Nats.

Malloy, who turns 26 in February, hit .322 with a .955 OPS in 329 plate appearances with Toledo in 2025, but never got on track during sporadic big-league opportunities.

Most notably, he hit only one home run in 127 MLB plate appearances in 2025, compared to eight in 230 in 2024.

His lack of power, lack of a defensive position, and the emergence of Jahmai Jones as a right-handed platoon bat all combined to make Malloy expendable.

Malloy’s outfield defense has always been a question mark, so the Tigers gave him extra work at first base in spring training. But the resurgence of Spencer Torkelson closed off any opportunity at that position, and Malloy remained largely a DH and pinch-hitter in 2025.

Malloy was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in the Joe Jimenez trade after the 2022 season. The New York native was a sixth-round draft pick out of Georgia Tech in 2021.

TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (40)

Left-handed pitchers (6): Tyler Holton, Bailey Horn, Brant Hurter, Jake Miller, Tarik Skubal, Drew Sommers.

Right-handed pitchers (15): Drew Anderson, Beau Brieske, Kyle Finnegan, Jack Flaherty, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Brenan Hanifee, Kenley Jansen, Jackson Jobe, Ty Madden, Troy Melton, Casey Mize, Keider Montero, Reese Olson, Dylan Smith, Will Vest.

Catchers (4): Dillon Dingler, Thayron Liranzo, Jake Rogers, Eduardo Valencia.

Infielders (9): Javier Báez, Trei Cruz, Jace Jung, Colt Keith, Hao-Yu Lee, Zach McKinstry, Trey Sweeney, Spencer Torkelson, Gleyber Torres.

Outfielders (6): Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, Jahmai Jones, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Pérez, Matt Vierling.

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Detroit, MI

Lions place Kerby Joseph on IR, make 2 OL moves for Steelers game

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Lions place Kerby Joseph on IR, make 2 OL moves for Steelers game

The Detroit Lions have finally placed safety Kerby Joseph on injured reserve, effectively ending the All-Pro defender’s season.

Joseph has been dealing with a knee injury for essentially the entire season, but there was some brief hope he’d be able to return to the field. After suffering a setback during a recent practice, Joseph has been sidelined, and Detroit finally decided to end his season after he had missed the past eight games. Technically, Joseph would be eligible to return to the field if Detroit advances to the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, but that seems unlikely. Joseph’s season ends with 18 tackles in six games and three interceptions.

Additionally, the Lions have made several offensive moves to address current injuries. Notably, they have activated guard Christian Mahogany, who has been on injured reserve for six weeks after suffering a leg fracture against the Vikings. It’s quite possible he’ll return to his starting position at left guard, although coach Dan Campbell offered some caution on Friday.

“Yesterday, I thought he looked pretty good. Wasn’t perfect, but I thought he looked pretty good,” Campbell said. “And some of it’s going to be, I know he’s a little sore today, and how he feels in today’s practice. That’s what a lot of it’s going to come down to.”

The Lions have also elevated offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun from the practice squad. That could be a bad sign for the availability of starting center Graham Glasgow. He’s been dealing with a knee injury that caused him to miss two practices this week and landed him with a questionable designation. The Lions now have several options at center, including Eguakun, Trystan Colon (who is dealing with a wrist injury of his own), and Michael Niese. Campbell said the team has been exploring all options in practice this week.

“We’ve obviously worked Colon because he’s been there. I know he’s got the wrist, but he was out there working with it yesterday,” Campbell said. “Just trying to get Graham off his feet. But I mean, we’ve worked Niese, we’ve worked Kingsley. We’ve kind of just hit all around, and we’re rolling the guards, too. So, it’s really been a little bit of a revolving door trying to get a number of guys ready because there’s a lot of flex going into this game right now.”

Lastly, the Lions also elevated tight end Giovanni Ricci from the practice squad for the second straight week as the Lions continue to be short-handed at tight end in the wake of injuries to Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.

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