Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone has yet to report for training camp – whether that’s because of his contract extension not having been taken care of yet or because of a hamstring issue keeping him off the field is unknown. But, we’ve gotten bits and pieces of information from Lions staff about Anzalone, and from the linebacker himself, about where they stand with the veteran defender.

Still, the Lions must conduct training camp whether he’s there or not. And, the team will have to get some burn from more of their secondary options at linebacker as they wait to get something done with Anzalone, one of their best defenders and someone who is looking to “retire a Lion.”

One of those players is veteran linebacker Zach Cunningham. According to Lions team reporter Tim Twentyman, Cunningham has been filling in admirably for Anzalone as the team waits to get a deal done, with Cunningham immediately making his presence known this past week ahead of the Lions’ first preseason contest on July 31.

“Veteran linebacker Zach Cunningham continues to impress stepping in for the injured Alex Anzalone. He was a tackle machine in an early 11-on-11 period focusing on the run game. Campbell has touted Cunningham’s athleticism and we’re seeing it early on. He could provide some good depth at linebacker when Anzalone returns,” wrote Twentyman of Cunningham’s training camp performance on Friday.

Cunningham stepping up in place of Anzalone

With both sides seemingly willing to get something amicably done, we shouldn’t expect a long, Haason Reddick-esque holdout from Anzalone coming up for Detroit. This is just a part of the process when you’re suddenly a winning team. You’ve got to pay your centerpieces, or else you risk losing the continuity you’ve built over years that has led to your winning.

That said, it’s still great that Cunningham is managing to piece together a successful training camp as a result of Anzalone sitting out. He had played just seven games with the Denver Broncos in 2024, compiling just four total tackles. That’s a far cry from some of his incredible seasons put together while with the Denver Broncos, where he was posting 100+ tackle seasons consistently.

If he can bounce back from a slouching 2024, that’s huge for Detroit’s depth. And, if Anzalone just doesn’t sign an extension and continues to sit out until he gets his rightful payday, then Cunningham seems to be a good fit alongside Jack Campbell in their linebacker room.