The Detroit Lions have hit a tough stretch of injury concerns heading into Week 5, as their veteran left tackle Taylor Decker continues to battle a lingering shoulder issue. Decker, a cornerstone of Detroit’s offensive line and one of the highest-paid players on the roster with a contract worth around $60 million, has been dealing with this injury since undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. Unfortunately for the Lions, that same shoulder problem has flared up again after Week 1, creating uncertainty around one of their most reliable blockers.
Since the start of the season, Decker’s name has been a constant on the injury report. Over the past three weeks, he has missed eight of nine practice sessions, yet he has somehow managed to start every game so far. That resilience underscores his toughness and commitment to helping the Lions maintain their winning momentum, but it has also raised questions about how long he can continue to play through the pain without risking further damage.
This week, however, things appear to have taken a turn for the worse. According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Lions have officially downgraded Decker from questionable to doubtful for Sunday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. This marks the third consecutive week Decker has missed all practices, and his absence would represent a major loss for the team. The final decision on his availability will come 90 minutes before kickoff, when the Lions release their official inactive list.
With Decker expected to sit out, Detroit is preparing to start Giovanni Manu, a young offensive lineman drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Manu, who redshirted his rookie season, has played just seven total snaps in his short NFL career. Sunday’s game could mark his first career start, and he’ll be thrown right into the fire — tasked with protecting Jared Goff’s blindside against one of the league’s most dangerous edge rushers, Trey Hendrickson of the Bengals.
The Lions’ coaching staff will undoubtedly keep a close eye on Manu’s performance, as his ability to step up could play a crucial role in determining how well Detroit’s offense performs. Losing Decker is no small blow, but it’s also a test of the Lions’ depth, adaptability, and grit — three things that have defined this team’s identity under Dan Campbell.
