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ALLEN PARK – Taylor Decker’s official availability for the Detroit Lions’ season opener remains unknown, and likely will remain so until Dan Campbell addresses reporters ahead of practice on Friday morning.
But if the way TJ Hockenson spoke after Thursday’s practice is any indication, it looks like Matt Nelson could make his first career start for injured Decker on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
“Taylor is one of those guys who’s been captain the last few years, just a guy you feed off,” Hockenson said. “But at the same time, he’s the next man. Matt Nelson is a good player, he played for us, he played for us the last two years, Nelson did. So I think he’s up to the challenge.
“Soccer is one of those next man games, and you can’t really think of things like that. You just have to move on, and obviously Taylor is a great player and we would really love to have him when he comes back, anytime, and we’re going to keep rolling. But it’s not something you can really think about and hang your hat on, you know?
Read it the way you want. It is certainly not definitive of anything. But it sure doesn’t sound good either.
Decker has been enduring since returning from a torn labrum in 2017, missing just one game in the past three years and leading Detroit in offensive shots in 2019 and 2020. He was excellent when he was on. the field the past two seasons as well, including allowing just two sacks last year, both in a loss to Carolina. He finished the season as the third best pass blocker among all offensive tackles, according to ProFootballFocus, and placed 11th overall.
The Lions have added more firepower to offensive tackles this offseason by selecting Penei Sewell with the seventh overall pick in the draft. With pro Bowler Frank Ragnow returning to center, Detroit should have one of the best offensive lines in the league – which would come in handy in a week like this, when they open the season against one of the best lines. defensive end of the NFL.
But then Detroit opened practice week with missing Decker reps on Wednesday and then not dressing at all on Thursday, an alarming trend with Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and Dee Ford heading to Ford Field on Sunday. And the only offensive tackle on the bench is Nelson, a converted defensive lineman with zero career starts.
The Lions could hook Nelson in place of Decker in the left tackle, although that would compare him to Bosa, who, when in good health, is one of the league’s most feared rushers – and right now, He is healthy. Or they could also choose to bring Sewell back to the left tackle, the position that made him a star in Oregon, although that is also a tough question. Sewell has spent the past four months trying to learn the right tackle, and while he’s been a force in the ground game, his pass protection has been shaky at times.
“I thought he did some good things (in preseason),” said Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn. “Obviously he had some difficulties. But as long as you learn from these struggles and keep improving, that’s the most important thing. “
It’s hard to learn a new job in the NFL, and Sewell does so at 20 who hasn’t played a live football game for almost two years. Bringing him back to the left tackle now could further complicate the development of the prized Detroit rookie. Or maybe it could be the best answer to replace one of the top left tackles in the league.
It’s a tough call, and a Campbell will surely be asked about when he speaks to reporters ahead of practice on Friday morning. Either way, Hockenson said he believes Nelson is up for the challenge no matter where he plays.
“He blocked Khalil Mack last year so I think everything will be fine up front,” Hockenson said. “I’m not really worried about it.”
The rest of Detroit’s injury report stayed the same Thursday, with cornerback AJ Parker (shoulder) and defensive linemen Michael Brockers (shoulder), Nick Williams (elbow) and Levi Onwuzurike (hip) all listed as limits. Hockenson (shoulder) and running back D’Andre Swift (groin) were both in full swing.
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