Taylor Decker could miss more time with the shoulder injury that’s nagged him all season. If he does, the Detroit Lions likely will not use Penei Sewell as his replacement.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said the organization has talked about moving Sewell from right to left tackle if Decker faces an extended absence, but said that might not be what’s best for the line.
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“He’d go over there and handle it just fine,” Campbell said on Wednesday, Oct. 8. “It’s really more about, if it’s not Decker, the other guys and where are they most comfortable? And then Sewell, by default, will go away from that because he can do it all.”
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) yells out after warming up before the game against the Washington Commanders at Ford Field in Detroit, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
ARNOLD UPDATE: Detroit Lions CB still ‘may be out a while’ with shoulder
A two-time first-team All-Pro at right tackle, Sewell has filled in at left tackle for Decker in the past.
He started the first eight games of his career at left tackle and became the youngest player in NFL history to start a game at the position after Decker suffered a spiral fracture to his finger days before the season opener in 2021. Two years later, he made two more starts at the position when Decker was out with an ankle injury.
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Decker underwent offseason shoulder surgery and suffered another injury to the same shoulder before the start of the regular season.
He started the first four games with limited practice, but the Lions (4-1) held him out of last week’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals in an effort to keep him healthy for later in the season. He told the Free Press on Wednesday he was “trending in the right direction” to play this week against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“It’s not 100% one way or the other,” Decker said. “Just going to have to see as the week goes on. Not only make the best decision for, Dan hit on this, one week but the longevity of the season.
“It’s tough for me to delegate, but these people get paid to do their jobs, medical professionals, coaches. So if it were up to me, I’d play every game, I’d be a martyr, I’d die on the sword, but is that the best thing long-term? Is that the best thing week to week? Don’t leave that decision up to me cause I’ll (bleep) it up.”
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Gio Manu, a fourth-round pick last year, made his first career start at left tackle in Decker’s place against the Bengals and drew mixed reviews for his performance. He allowed two sacks and whiffed on several other blocks in pass protection but played well as a run blocker.
Campbell said after the Bengals game he wasn’t sure if the Lions would give Decker more rest in the coming weeks, and that Manu, Dan Skipper and practice squad tackle Devin Cochran all are candidates to play in his absence.
The Lions signed Skipper, their swing tackle last season, from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Wednesday. Skpper missed the start of the season with a knee injury.
If Sewell were to make a short-term position change, Campbell said the Lions would need to give him reps at left tackle in practice.
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“We’ve talked about (using Sewell there),” Campbell said. “I don’t want to say that’s off the table, but that’s probably not the first thought, being honest with you.”
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions won’t use Penei Sewell at LT with Taylor Decker ailing