Taylor

Decker

Decker is good to go for the Lions’ Divisional Round game against the Commanders this weekend. He reportedly missed Wednesday’s practice celebrating the birth of his second child. Lions RG Kevin Zeitler (hamstring) is the other offensive lineman who has missed practice this week. After being a DNP on Thursday, Lions coach Dan Campbell said Christian Mahogany would start in Zeitler’s place if Zeitler is unable to go on Saturday against the Commanders.

This could end up being a non-issue but a playoff practice absence for a core offensive player is noteworthy nonetheless. Decker is one of the league’s best left tackles and he makes life far easier on Jared Goff. Hopefully, Decker is good to go this week. We will report back with updates as soon as possible.

Decker missed three games with the knee issue but practiced in full throughout the week before being cleared for action. Detroit’s date with Buffalo has the highest total of the year and features two teams poised for deep playoff runs. With Decker back on the field, Detroit’s offense is full strength for what could be the game of the year.

Decker has missed three straight games with the knee issue. The Lions already have one eye on the postseason, so slow-playing his return makes sense. Decker did not practice at all last week, so a return to practice on Wednesday is a step in the right direction for the stud tackle. He is on track to play in Week 15 against Buffalo, adding a bit more fuel to the shootout fire on the horizon.

This will be the third game in five weeks Decker has missed. It stands to reason Detroit is simply being conservative heading toward the postseason, though they are also far from assured the NFC’s No. 1 seed despite their dominant record.

Decker will now miss his third game since Week 10 and was entirely unable to practice this week. Hopefully, the team is just taking the conservative route and Decker will be readily available for the stretch run later this season. The Lions will be woefully short-staffed in the defensive trenches, having also ruled out DL Josh Paschal (knee), DL Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring) and DL DJ Reader (shoulder).

Decker’s absence is a big blow for a Lions offensive line tasked with slowing Bears DE Montez Sweat. The Lions’ defense will also be short-staffed; CB Carlton Davis III (knee/thumb) has likewise been ruled out.

Refreshed after taking one game off, Decker practiced in full over the last two days and is good to go for Week 11. DE Za’Darius Smith will make his Lions debut this week after being rendered inactive in his first week with the team (Week 10), post-trade.

Decker is now firmly on track to face the Jaguars in Week 11 which should make life far easier on Jared Goff, who has struggled to play effectively when pressured in recent weeks.

Decker just got over a chest injury last week but then suffered a shoulder injury during Thursday’s practice that ultimately forced him to miss Sunday’s game. A limited session on Wednesday is a step in the right direction. He also told reporters the plan is for him to play this week.