The man they call "Rodrigo" is officially back.

Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez on Tuesday was officially activated from the reserve/PUP list, making him eligible to play in a game for the first time since suffering a season-ending knee injury in last year's Thanksgiving Day win over the Chicago Bears.

Rodriguez, 26, is in the final season of his four-year rookie contract. He was selected in the sixth round by Detroit in 2022, when he immediately became a dependable run defender and core special-teamer.

While the Lions have a firm trio of defensive starters in Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, and Derrick Barnes, Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has frequently rotated his reserve linebackers into defensive situations, so Rodriguez likely will see some action.

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