Penei

Sewell

Sewell had his ankle rolled on in the Lions’ Week 1 win over the Rams. He was held out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday this week before being upgraded to a limited session on Friday. Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters he wasn’t sure if Sewell would be able to play and that they are trying to be smart about his injury. The All-Pro right tackle is truly questionable for Week 2. Dan Skipper would likely be the next man up if Sewell can’t go.

The injury occurred when a Lions offensive lineman delivered a hit to Rams S Kamren Curl, who was attempting to clog a rushing lane. Curl impacted Sewell’s lower leg laterally, causing Sewell to briefly writhe in pain after the play. Sewell toughed it out, never leaving the field. While Friday’s injury report will be helpful, the team could opt to rest him throughout the week as a precaution, before allowing the two-time defending Pro Bowler to suit up on Sunday.

The injury appears to have occurred when Williams took a knee to his lower leg against the Rams on Sunday. He exited briefly to have his ankle taped and showed no ill effects from the issue, totaling a career-high 121 receiving yards. His limited participant status early in the week bodes extremely positively for his Week 2 availability. RT Penei Sewell was notably unable to practice due to an ankle injury of his own, which requires monitoring. The Lions’ offensive line is among the league’s best.

Sewell was believed to have suffered a foot injury in Wednesday’s practice, but it was later revealed to be a minor ankle injury. It doesn’t sound like the team is overly concerned about his availability for the start of the season. The Lions are set to face the Rams on September 8 at home in Week 1.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, this is the largest deal ever for an offensive lineman. With the draft just around the corner, the Lions are taking care of their current roster with extensions for its biggest names. They signed Amon-Ra St. Brown to a four-year, $120 million extension earlier today. Drafted in 2021, Sewell played a mix of left and right tackle as a rookie and earned a top-25 grade at the position from Pro Football Focus. He moved to full-time right tackle in the following season. After two strong campaigns, Sewell took the next step in 2023 and was PFF’s top-graded tackle. They charted him with one sack allowed on 674 pass-blocking reps. He is also elite in the run game, perfect for the Lions’ ground-heavy approach. Jared Goff is entering the final year of his contract and should be next in line for an extension in Detroit.

Sewell entering concussion protocol is obviously bad for the Lions, but he’ll have the remainder of the offseason to clear protocol before Week 1’s matchup against the Chiefs. Campbell has praised Sewell for his work in the offseason and went as far as to call him a “foundation” of the team. The soon-to-be 23-year-old earned a Pro Bowl nod last season and is quickly turning into one of the top left tackles in the league. We’d expect him to clear protocol in time for Week 1.

Fellow Detroit offensive lineman Frank Ragnow was also cleared from the injury report. Sewell’s absence from practice on Wednesday was likely nothing more than maintenance. He was back at practice on Thursday and got in a full session today.

Sewell didn’t miss a snap in Week 12 because of the ankle issue, so Lions fans shouldn’t be too considered yet. The former first-round pick was spotted getting some light work in with a trainer on Wednesday. That could mean his DNP status was simply maintenance. His reports on Thursday and Friday will be more revealing.

Jared Goff will fight through his knee injury and return for the team’s regular-season finale.

Taylor Decker was also removed from the COVID-19 list. Sewell is still in question for Week 18 against the Packers with an illness and a thumb injury. The Lions will take on a Green Bay team with nothing to play for in Detroit’s season finale.