The Detroit Lions placed offensive lineman Giovanni Manu on the Non-Football Injury list with an unknown ailment on Wednesday, hours after he completed his first training camp practice of the season.
Manu, 25, is a former fourth-round pick who was entering a make-or-break camp after Detroit added significant competition to his position group. He was firmly on the roster bubble prior to his unknown injury, and now must overcome the absence to prove he’s worthy of a spot on the 53-man roster.
After letting go of Taylor Decker this past offseason, the Lions added Blake Miller via the draft and signed veteran Larry Borom in free agency, making Manu the fourth tackle at best on Detroit’s depth chart.
The Lions have vocalized the possibility that Manu could begin working at offensive guard, which would give him a better chance of sticking around as a bottom-of-the-depth-chart piece. However, training camp is the most fruitful time for player development, and an extended absence would be a significant blow to Manu’s chances of rounding into the type of player that Detroit needs him to be.
Manu has made one start in his NFL career, pinch-hitting for a short-handed Lions team in Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals last season. He was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury shortly after.
The news comes after the Lions placed three players on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Sunday, tight end Tyler Conklin and safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, before adding two more players to the Non-Football Injury/Ilness list on Tuesday, offensive lineman Christian Mahogany and safety Christian Izien.
Lions coach Dan Campbell should be able to provide more clarity on Manu’s situation on Thursday morning.
nbianchi@detroitnews.com
@nolanbianchi
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Giovanni Manu lands on injured list after first day of Lions camp
Reporting by Nolan Bianchi, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Nolan Bianchi, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
