The Lions are ready to roll this week, as head coach Dan Campbell alluded to at the start of his press conference Friday. But they may have to roll without their starting left tackle.
After not practicing all week with a shoulder injury, Taylor Decker is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears. If he can’t go, Giovanni Manu is set to get the start.
Campbell was asked about the team’s plan for Decker’s injury management going forward. “He’s got a little bit something here, so we’re just trying to buy him some time here to where he feels better. A lot of it, too, is the luxury of – Decker’s played a lot of football. And so, he’ll be ready as long as it feels right. But yeah, we feel good right now. And there again, we still have another day here and we’ll see. So, I can’t give you a definitive yes, but that’s where it’s at.”
Campbell added that he’s “not sure” if this injury is related to his offseason shoulder injury that forced him to miss the start of training camp.
The Lions are keeping the door open for Decker by listing him as questionable, rather than completely ruling him out, despite not logging a practice this week. Campbell made it clear that “Deck wants to play,” but this management and his decision for Sunday is “about the long-term season.”
Regardless, Campbell is confident in Manu if he has to play against the Bears.
“Well, he’s going to have to be ready,” Campbell said. “And he knows that, he’s been getting reps all week. I did think he practiced better these last two days, which is good. He’s part of a whole unit, he’s part of all five of those guys up there. He’ll be ready.”
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions thinking long-term with management of Taylor Decker
Reporting by Billy Riccette, Lions Wire / Lions Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
