ALLEN PARK -- It’s no sure thing. But the Detroit Lions not elevating an extra offensive lineman could spell good news for Taylor Decker’s status.
Decker (shoulder) is questionable to play against the Chicago Bears in Week 2. The starting left tackle has not practiced all week, which usually signals bad news for Decker’s status. But as Lions coach Dan Campbell said, the luxury with Decker is that he’s played a lot of football and knows the drill better than most as the team’s longest-tenured player.
“He’s got a little bit something here, so we’re just trying to buy him some time here to where he feels better,” Campbell said. “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.
“And just for the record, Deck wants to play. I’m going to make that very clear. Deck wants to play. So, this is about the long-term season is what this is going to come down to just as far as what we do for this one.”
Giovanni Manu has taken the first-team reps at left tackle in practice this week. The 2024 fourth-round pick was active for the first time in his career in Green Bay, playing three special teams snaps.
But with Jamarco Jones (ankle) on injured reserve and practice squad tackle Dan Skipper not practicing since camp, it would be Manu if Decker were unable to go.
And outside of Manu, the Lions don’t have any reserve offensive tackles on their main roster. They have veteran guard Kayode Awosika and center Kingsley Eguakun, and that’s it. Awosika has three reps at offensive tackle since 2021, with all them coming on the left side with the Lions last season.
Manu has yet to log a single regular-season snap on the offensive line and would bring another new face to the trenches after a week of trying to correct communication issues.
However, the Lions have preached about Manu’s growth through camp leading up to this point. The one thing Manu has going for him that could mask some weaknesses is his massive size (6-foot-7, 350 pounds) and impressive athleticism.
“I’m totally ready,” Manu said in the locker room on Friday. “I mean, you know, Taylor Decker, hell of a player, he’s a mentor to me. But I’ve told myself, I’ve told people this, too. If I ever hear my No. 59 called, best believe that I’ll grab every moment of it and I’ll give it my all. And, yeah, that’s it. Seize the opportunity. Right?”
The one move the Lions did make was elevating linebacker Monty Rice from their practice squad. Trevor Nowaske is out for the second straight week due to an elbow injury. Last week, it was Anthony Pittman to take his spot. Now, Rice gets a chance after taking Pittman’s spot on the team’s practice squad earlier this week.
Rice was a 2021 third-round pick out of Georgia. He’s bounced around the league in recent years, spending time with the Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots.
He’s played 38 games with 11 career starts through his four seasons of NFL action. Rice should see a role on special teams in Sunday’s home opener.
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