ALLEN PARK — It is not a usual week for the Lions as they prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game on Sunday.
More at stake, more media and more attention, but the same old Dan Campbell.
“This will be an outstanding test for us, but it’s one we’re ready for, we’re built to handle this,’’ Campbell said on Wednesday. “This will be an outstanding game on the road. Our guys will be ready to roll.’’
Since the start of the season, Campbell has said this team was built for winning. Every player in the locker room meets the standards that Campbell and GM Brad Holmes have set.
“Everything starts with ability, you have to have ability in this league. We have ability,’’ Campbell said. “But deeper than that you have to be able to handle the ebbs and flows of the game in a season, in playoffs. That’s what has been built for three years now. That’s what gives me faith.’’
Center Frank Ragnow has lived through plenty of adversity individually and with the team since 2018. He knows he is not alone.
“We’re hardened by that. I don’t want to say that makes us fearless because we definitely respect our opponent but we’re not going to back down to the battle for sure,’’ Ragnow said.
Campbell is not guaranteeing a win. That’s not his style. He’s guaranteeing his team will be ready to handle anything thrown their way.
“There are going to be things that happen in this game that it’s going to look like it’s out of control and it’s not going to go well for us. As long as we just play the next play it will turn, that’s what we’ve done all year,’’ Campbell said. “That’s the most important thing to keep in mind, but you have to be made a certain way and the team has to be made a certain way to be able to handle that. Otherwise you just crumble. That’s what gives me faith, we have a team that’s built that way.’’
The coach said there was not one certain moment in the season where he knew the team would get down to the NFL’s version of the Final Four.
“I don’t necessarily think like that. To me it’s one week at a time. It’s about finding a way to get the most wins you can, get yourself into a position when you get into the playoffs, you have the best possible advantage to advance,’’ Campbell said.
He said he would’ve said in training camp that he had a good team but it was all about getting into the postseason.
“We got in and now we’re just one week at a time,’’ Campbell said.
Ertz on board
Veteran tight end Zach Ertz is ready to help. He was signed to the practice squad on Monday after Brock Wright was injured Sunday and participated in the team’s walk-through/practice on Wednesday.
“He’s here. I know he’s in shape. We are just going to gauge this and see where we’re at. He’ll be out here (at practice). He’s played and played at a high level,’’ Campbell said. “There’s things that he does well. It’s just a matter of: Is this the week to use him.”
Ertz said he wants to earn whatever reps he gets.
“I’m just here to support the guys anyway I can, hopefully I can teach Sam (LaPorta) or some of these young tight ends some things,’’ Ertz said.
Ertz, 33, started seven games for the Cardinals in the 2023 season and then was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 24. He was waived on Nov. 30.
INJURY UPDATE: For the Lions, the Wednesday injury report is estimated because they had a walk-through instead of practice. Jonah Jackson (knee), Sam LaPorta (knee) and Frank Ragnow (ankle, toe, knee, back) did not participate; Alex Anzalone (shoulder/ribs) and Josh Reynolds (ribs) were limited; James Houston (ankle) fully participated.
For the 49ers, WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday and is uncertain for Sunday.
UP NEXT: NFC Championship game featuring Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers, 6:30 p.m., Sunday on FOX.
Lions Lowdown 