The Detroit Lions have in the past turned linebackers into fullbacks.

Recall, Jason Cabinda had experience playing on the defensive side of the football prior to joining Detroit in 2019.

Unfortunately, the talented linebacker is currently on the injured reserve list due to a knee injury.

Detroit’s coaching staff, which still wanted to deploy a fullback in certain offensive sets, has turned to a member of the defense to fill in.

Second-year linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez has seen his playing time steadily reduced this season, as rookie Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes have been on the field alongside veteran Alex Anzalone.

For the young linebacker, it was a little jarring at first, but then he realized he still would have opportunities to earn playing time on defense.

“First thought is, oh, they’re throwing me over to the offense,” Rodriguez told All Lions. “But they’re like, ‘No, we’ve got a guy down.’ Cabinda’s down so they’re just like a couple reps. I’ll be down for it, as long as I still get to play defense.

“When we drafted him last year, we were in OTAs and, I think it was John Morton at the time was with us, he said, ‘Golly, that guy looks just like a fullback.’ That was something we mentioned to coach back then, and no, he’s a linebacker,” said offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. “The injury to Cabinda, him being out, kind of opened the door a little bit to guide him down that road. He’s done a great job so far. He’s a physical player, instinctive, smart which makes the learning curve a lot better for us. I think we’ve had some production when he’s been out on the field.”

Rodriguez played quarterback back in high school, but the transition to playing fullback is still an adjustment.

“Offensively, I was a quarterback in high school. So it’s been a while on the other side of the ball. Play calls are a lot longer in the NFL obviously. It’s a fun experience to get back on the other side.