Before returning to action on Sunday 5, Detroit Lions star Alex Anzalone showed off the gruesome journey it took to get there. Hours prior to the team’s Sunday Night Football showdown with the Minnesota Vikings at Detroit’s Ford Field,

Detroit Lions have been without several defensive starters in recent weeks, making Anzalone's potential return even more significant.

The Detroit Lions could get a nice, needed lift to the defense with the potential return of linebacker and defensive captain Alex Anzalone. He’s been activated from the injured reserve list ahead of Sunday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18.

The game was noteworthy not just for Detroit's big win but also for the return of ex- Florida Gators star and rising Lions star Alex Anzalone, who returned from a broken left forearm injury and played with a carbon fiber cast en route to a successful performance defending Vikings star tight end TJ Hockensen.

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone returned from a seven-week injury to help his team secure the NFC North title, No. 1 seed in playoffs.

Detroit Lions linebacker and defensive captain Alex Anzalone is returning for the winner-take-all Week 18 showdown against Minnesota Vikings.

Anzalone has been out since Nov. 17 with a broken forearm, and Raymond has been dealing with a foot injury since Nov. 24.

Here's everything Detroit Lions star Alex Anzalone said about the decision on whether or not to return for the Vikings game.

After dealing with forearm and foot injures, respectively, Lions LB Alex Anzalone and WR Kalif Raymond have been activated from injured reserve.

Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone to return from injured reserve in a limited fashion against the Vikings in Week 18

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone and punt returner Kalif Raymond are active for Sunday night's game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Alex Anzalone is back. The Lions linebacker and defensive captain has been activated from Detroit's injured reserve ahead of the Week 18 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. Anzalone has been out since breaking his forearm in the Week 11 win over the Jaguars.