Taylor Decker will miss the Detroit Lions’ game with the Houston Texans on Sunday night. The Lions have ruled out the veteran left tackle due to a shoulder injury.
Decker missed practice on Thursday and Friday, and the Lions have officially ruled him out. That is a significant loss for Detroit. Taylor Decker has played in every game of the 2024 season until now.
The Lions’ question is how they will work around Decker’s absence. Will they move superstar right tackle Penei Sewell to left tackle and place Dan Skipper at right tackle?
Detroit could plug Skipper in at left tackle or even bring Colby Sorsdal into the fold at right tackle and kick Sewell to the blindside.
Losing Taylor Decker is a significant blow. That is undeniable. Linebackers and special teams standouts Malcolm Rodriguez and Jalen Reeves-Maybin are also out to compound the Lions’ injury issues.
The positive news is that the Lions have listed Za’Darius Smith as questionable. Smith was due to have a bye week with the Cleveland Browns, but that did not materialise after the trade.
The Lions gave Smith Wednesday and Thursday off, and he trained on Friday. Coach Dan Campbell was coy on Smith’s participation against the Texans. Nevertheless, the former Green Bay Packer is keen to play:
“It’s more about just getting the plays in and knowing the blitzes. They basically want me to be on cue for the blitzes, so hopefully, something can work out here in the next 24 hours.”
If Smith does take the field, he will take it alongside fellow Kentucky alum Josh Paschal. Paschal is back following a two-week absence caused by a benign mass getting removed.
Full Lions Injury Report
#DETvsHOU injury report presented by Henry Ford Health. pic.twitter.com/MoLjCdHKZ3
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 8, 2024
Full Texans Injury Report
The Texans do have their own injury concerns. Blue-chip pass rusher Will Anderson is out, as is running back Dameon Pierce. Guard Kenyon Green is on injured reserve, while wide receiver Tank Dell is questionable with a back injury.
Nico Collins’ 21-day window opened on Friday. CJ Stroud’s number-one target is returning from a stint on IR due to a hamstring injury. His official status is questionable.
Houston #Texans Friday Injury Report & Game Status Report for Week 10 vs. the Detroit Lions: pic.twitter.com/eJYPIW3FTj
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) November 8, 2024