Alex Anzalone named team captain ahead of Detroit Lions season-opener

Alex Anzalone has fit in quickly with his new team, the Detroit Lions.

The former Wyomissing standout has been named one of five captains for the Lions’ season-opener Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

Anzalone signed as a free agent with the Lions in the offseason following four seasons with the New Orleans Saints. He reportedly signed a one-year contract for $1.75 million.

Anzalone started 20 games for the Saints over four seasons but was sidelined by shoulder injuries in 2017 and 2019, an issue that has slowed him since college.

The 6-3, 241-pound Anzalone was a third-round draft pick of the Saints in 2017 out of the University of Florida.

Anzalone was named Pennsylvania’s Class 2A Player of the Year as a senior in 2012 after leading Wyomissing to a perfect record and a PIAA championship.

He is one of two newcomers named a Lions team as captain, along with quarterback Jared Goff.

Goff will serve as one of the two offensive captains, along with Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow. On defense, Anzalone and defensive end Trey Flowers will serve as captains. Jalen Reeves-Maybin is the special teams captain.

The Lions finished 5-11 last season but have made massive roster changes and also have a new head coach and general manager.

“I think that not a lot of teams know what to expect from us,” Anzalone told mlive.com earlier this week. “There’s a lot of turnover as far as players and coaches, obviously. And I think there’s kind of the surprise factor, in that regard.”