SANTA CLARA, Calif. >> Offensive tackle Penei Sewell struck fear into the hearts of Detroit Lions fans everywhere when he left the field before time ran out in the first half of Monday night’s game against the 49ers.

After the game, Lions coach Dan Campbell said Sewell had a thumb injury, but it was nothing to be concerned about in the long term. Sewell, who was Second-Team All-Pro in 2023, is the catalyst for a Lions offensive line that many consider the best in the league. He returned for the third quarter and helped jump-start a strong second-half performance in a 40-34 win at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

Sewell is one of the most durable players on the team. He’s missed just one game in his NFL career, which came in his rookie season after he tested positive for COVID.

“He should be good,” Campbell said after the game.

Lions kicker Jake Bates said he was “just a little tight” after being spotted stretching on the sideline, an image that has since become a viral sensation. Bates drilled a 42-yard field goal after the occurrence. He also hit a 57-yard field goal earlier in the night and had an extra point blocked on Detroit’s opening score.

Campbell didn’t rule out the possibility that linebacker and captain Alex Anzalone could be ready to return for the team’s pivotal Week 18 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football. The winner of the primetime showdown will earn an NFC North title and the NFC’s No. 1 seed.

“We’ll see. He’s doing well,” Campbell said. “He’s close; he’s really close.”

The Lions could desperately use Anzalone’s presence after the team’s linebackers had a rough performance in Monday’s win over the 49ers. Anzalone suffered a broken forearm in the team’s win over Jacksonville on Nov. 17, one of many long-term hits to Detroit’s front seven this season.