Derrick

Barnes

Barnes was carted off during Week 3’s win over the Cardinals. He played 120 snaps for the Lions in the first three weeks, registering 10 combined tackles and one defensed pass. Malcolm Rodriguez took over most of the snaps in Barnes’ absence.

Barnes to a block to the knee in the second quarter and immediately went down. He was taken to the locker room on the cart and doesn’t look likely to return. Cornerback Terrion Arnold is questionable to return because of a knee issue. He was spotted on the bike on the sidelines and may be able to return.

Barnes has appeared in every game for the Lions this year, 11 of which were credited as starts for the third-year linebacker. He has 71 total tackles, four TFLs, and a sack this season. The Lions listed him as doubtful for Week 16 because of a shoulder injury.

Barnes (6’0/238) was a nondescript two-star prospect who originally committed to Toledo before new Purdue HC Jeff Brohm offered him an opportunity to play Big Ten football. He earned a starting job as a sophomore and went on to have an extremely productive collegiate career, posting 225 tackles and 25.0 TFL while leading the team in sacks with 7.5 as an edge player in 2019. His sawed-off but muscular frame precipitated a move to off-ball linebacker in 2020, where he led the team in tackles with 54 and was named as a second team All-Big Ten performer. Considering how Barnes excelled in whatever role he was cast, it’s no surprise that his athleticism was confirmed in his pro day workout, running a 4.57 second 40-yard dash and a 37” vertical jump to go with a stellar 9.34 Relative Athletic Score. Though the versatile linebacker is on the short side, he makes up for it with impressive speed and acceleration to close on opposing ball carriers. If things break right, he could carve out an early down off-ball linebacker role a la former Lions LB Jarrad Davis.

Derrick Barnes (6’0/238) was a nondescript two-star prospect who originally committed to Toledo before new Purdue HC Jeff Brohm offered him an opportunity to play Big Ten football. He earned a starting job as a sophomore and went on to have an extremely productive collegiate career, posting 225 tackles and 25.0 TFL while leading the team in sacks with 7.5 as an edge player in 2019. His sawed-off but muscular frame precipitated a move to off-ball linebacker in 2020, where he led the team in tackles with 54 and was named as a second team All-Big Ten performer. Considering how Barnes excelled in whatever role he was cast, it’s no surprise that his athleticism was confirmed in his pro day workout, running a 4.57 second 40-yard dash and a 37” vertical jump to go with a stellar 9.34 Relative Athletic Score. Though the versatile linebacker is on the short side, he makes up for it with impressive speed and acceleration to close on opposing ball carriers. His rocked up frame put up 29 bench reps, as his strong hands and powerful upper body allows him to take on blockers and finish tackles. Though his straight line speed is beyond reproach, he can look clunky moving laterally at times and change of direction abilities are questionable, which is probably why he didn’t run the shuttle or 3-cone at his pro day. If things break right he could carve out an early down, off ball linebacker role and bears a resemblance to former Lions LB Jarrad Davis.