Play Like 46: Lions Channel Jack Campbell's Standard Into Miami Week

Lions fans, this week is not business as usual in Allen Park. Detroit is preparing for Miami with Jack Campbell still recovering in the hospital and a simple standard on the wall: play like 46.

Our Take: The Lions are doing this the right way. They put the person first, then turned the emotion into a standard Campbell himself would demand. That is how a locker room stays together when one of its leaders goes down.

Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com reported that "Let's prepare and play like 46" became the team's theme after Dan Campbell opened Wednesday's meeting by putting football aside so players could talk about Jack. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said every walkthrough and every play should honor how Campbell prepares and plays. Derrick Barnes said one of the keys to victory is preparing to play like No. 46. Aidan Hutchinson, who rallied teammates after Campbell's neck injury last Sunday, said the group will think of Jack and take care of business on the road. Campbell said in a statement that he has full movement in his lower body, is making progress with his upper body, and remains optimistic.

Pride of Detroit's Jeremy Reisman reported Sheppard got emotional recalling the moment, and that Sheppard dialed a rare fourth-down blitz on the next play after Campbell left the field, telling the unit "Let's go for 46." Barnes and Hutchinson forced an incomplete pass. With Campbell and Jimmy Rolder hurt, Sheppard said he trusts Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Trevor Nowaske and Joe Bachie to step up.

What to watch: Sunday in Miami. The Lions do not need a perfect script. They need the standard Campbell set when he is healthy.

Sources: DetroitLions.com, Pride Of Detroit