The Detroit Lions secured their second bye week of the season with an impressive 31-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on Sunday night.

The game was significant not only for the win but also for the return of Alex Anzalone, a former Florida Gators standout and rising Lions star.

Anzalone, who had been sidelined with a broken left forearm, made his comeback wearing a carbon fiber cast and delivered a solid performance while defending Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson.

On Wednesday, Anzalone’s response to a lingering narrative about him being a “dirty player” was shared on the St. Brown Podcast, hosted by Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and his brother, Saints receiver Equanimeous St. Brown.

During the podcast, Equanimeous reminded Anzalone of a comment made by Justin Fields during a prior episode, where Fields accused him of being “dirty.”

“Fields said you’re a dirty player. What’s up with that? I’ve seen it in the media; Lions are called dirty, and you’re at the forefront,” Equanimeous said.

Anzalone addressed the accusation indirectly, saying, “AG (Aaron Glenn) always says the way you respect a player is by how hard you play against them.

” When asked if playing hard and being dirty were the same, Anzalone replied, “I wasn’t fined or penalized.”

Fields, who was traded to the Steelers from the Bears this offseason, hasn’t faced the Lions since the trade, leaving the matter unresolved on the field.