The Detroit Lions have faced a slew of injuries on defense this season, but one key absence on offense has been left tackle Taylor Decker, who missed the Thanksgiving Day victory over the Chicago Bears. Decker sustained a knee injury in Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts after being rolled up from behind. The Lions opted to use Dan Skipper at left tackle in his place, a role Skipper also filled in Week 10 against the Houston Texans. However, his performance against the Bears was shaky, as he allowed four pressures on quarterback Jared Goff, according to Pro Football Focus. Despite Decker’s absence, the Lions have chosen to keep Penei Sewell at right tackle, a strategy that appears to be the right call and will likely continue if Decker remains sidelined.
As the Lions prepare for a Thursday night matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field, Decker’s availability is once again a pressing concern. Head coach Dan Campbell addressed Decker’s status during a Sunday press conference, offering a cautiously optimistic update.
“Better and better. I still think he’s day-to-day,” Campbell stated. “I think it’ll come down to the wire with him whether he can go or not this week. He’s certainly better.”
While Campbell’s comments signal some progress, they also highlight uncertainty, leaving the possibility of Decker playing this week up in the air. At this early stage, no definitive conclusions could be drawn about his readiness.
On Monday, Campbell made his weekly appearance on 97.1 The Ticket, where he elaborated on Decker’s condition.
“Decker, he’s not ready to practice today,” Campbell said. “He’s improving. He’s gotten better every day, every week, but I don’t see him practicing.”
Later that day, reporters at the team’s practice facility in Allen Park confirmed that Decker was not present, aligning with Campbell’s earlier comments. The Lions’ official practice report also confirmed his absence.
While Monday’s developments are not encouraging, they don’t entirely rule out the possibility of Decker suiting up against the Packers. Tuesday’s practice report will offer a clearer picture of his status, with the final injury report on Wednesday serving as the definitive indicator.
The Lions will need to closely monitor Decker’s progress in the coming days, as his return would provide a significant boost to the offensive line. However, if he remains unavailable, the team must rely on Skipper once again to fill the void against a Packers defense that could exploit any weaknesses up front.
