Lions Eyeing LSU LB Perkins Despite ACL Injury

Perkins' past ACL tear may not be a major concern for Detroit in the draft.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:09pm

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The Detroit Lions are considering LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. as a potential mid-round draft pick, despite Perkins having an ACL injury in his past. The Lions are looking to add depth at linebacker, with Malcolm Rodriguez only on a 1-year deal and coming off an ACL tear himself.

Why it matters

The Lions need to address their linebacker corps, especially with Rodriguez's contract situation. Perkins could be a cost-effective option in the middle rounds who has shown the ability to recover from an ACL tear and contribute as a pass rusher.

The details

Perkins suffered an ACL injury at some point in his college career, but has since recovered and played a full season at LSU. While ACL tears can be concerning, players are often able to return to 100% of their previous abilities. The Lions will want to check if there was any associated cartilage damage, but Perkins' young age of 22 is a positive factor.

  • Perkins is projected to be drafted in rounds 3-5 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The players

Harold Perkins Jr.

A linebacker from LSU who is projected to be drafted in the middle rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Malcolm Rodriguez

A linebacker for the Detroit Lions who is only on a 1-year contract and is 1.5 years removed from an ACL tear.

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What’s next

The Lions will want to thoroughly evaluate Perkins' medical history and recovery from the ACL injury to determine if he is a viable option to add depth at linebacker in the upcoming draft.

The takeaway

The Lions are looking to bolster their linebacker corps, and Perkins could be an intriguing mid-round option despite his past ACL tear. If his recovery has gone well, he could provide valuable pass-rushing ability to complement the Lions' existing linebacker group.