Halapoulivaati

Vaitai

Vaitai is a key player for the Lions offensive line and his back injury is a blow to Jared Goff’s protection. Backup Graham Glasgow will take over in the starting lineup. Vaitai’s season is in jeopardy as the Lions seek to make a playoff run.

Fellow offensive linemen Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Matt Nelson were ruled out. Jonah Jackson is also questionable. The Lions’ line was billed as one of the team’s biggest strengths entering the season, but injuries have taken their toll on the team’s bigs. Getting Decker back would be a notable win for Jared Goff and company. Decker was limited in practice throughout the week.

Vaitai took a pay cut to remain in Detroit, with his base salary going from $9.4 million to $3 million. He’ll count $1.2 million against the 2023 cap. The Lions turned Vaitai’s $9.4 million salary in 2024 into a void year as part of the deal. Vaitai hasn’t played since 2021 due to injuries and likely would have been cut had he not reworked the contract. The restructure clears a total of $7 million for Detroit.

Vaitai had back surgery in early September after being placed on injured reserve. Evan Brown has taken over at right guard in his stead.

This clears $2.42 million in 2022 cap space for the Lions. Vaitai underwent back surgery in September after being placed on season-ending IR. The restructure adds more guarantees to Vaitai’s 2023 salary.

Though Campbell didn’t directly say Vaitai was done for the year, that outcome is on the table. Vaitai suffered the injury during training camp and was placed on injured reserve after final rosters were set. Logan Stenberg got the start at right guard in Week 1 but struggled throughout the day. He will remain the starter for now, though his leash is short.

Vaitai played in the team’s final preseason game against the Steelers, but was injured and then kept out of practice last week. Vaitai has served as Detroit’s starting right guard for each of the last two seasons and is expected to fill the same role in 2022. His injury will open the door for either Tommy Kraemer or Logan Stenberg to start in his absence. Vaitai will be required to miss at least the first four games of the season.

Fellow starter DT Michael Brockers joins Vaitai there. Vaitai has started 13-of-14 games for the Lions and has graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 49 guard this season.

The Lions’ big free-agent signing in the offseason, Vaitai has played just three full games this season. Week 15 was his first game back after going on I.R. with a foot injury in November.

Vaitai was signed to play right tackle in the offseason, but he’s been stuck at right guard for much of the season due to injuries. He’s been dealing with a foot issue for much of the year and is finally being sent to I.R. Vaitai will be sidelined for at least three weeks. His move to I.R. opens up a spot for Mohamed Sanu.