ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have reportedly informed veteran offensive tackle Dan Skipper that he is being released.
Skipper’s release -- even with his history of being cut and signed over and over again by the franchise -- is a slight surprise. The 30-year-old has been the team’s extra blocker in heavy sets for the last couple of years and has filled holes on the O-line more than a couple of times.
He started his career with the Lions in 2017, then found his way back in 2019. He’s appeared in 44 games over the last three seasons, including a career-high 17 last year. Skipper has even started 11 times over the previous three seasons, with five of those coming in 2024.
Skipper struggled against the likes of Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport in training camp. But continued to rep high in the order even after left tackle Taylor Decker made his way back to practice.
Since Skipper is a veteran, he will become a free agent and get to choose his next team. With his ties and familiarity with the Lions, it’s one of those situations where it wouldn’t be surprising to see him land on the team’s practice squad.
Detroit’s depth at offensive tackle behind Decker and Penei Sewell consists of Giovanni Manu, Jamarco Jones and Gunner Britton. Jones has been banged up in recent weeks, making this a more surprising decision. However, Manu has shown real growth in Allen Park, working closely under the tutelage of offensive line coach Hank Fraley and Decker.
Manu, the former fourth-round pick, was a healthy scratch for every game as a rookie last season. This is a possible sign that his development is enough to dress him on game days, with a potential path to touching the field for the first time in Detroit.
Decker taking Manu under his wing means a lot to the 24-year-old, too. The veteran left tackle had Manu train with him and other teammates out in Arizona before reporting to Allen Park.
“It was huge (to work with Decker). Coming in as a rookie, especially as a tackle and he’s the franchise tackle, you don’t know how you’re going to be accepted in that room by those guys,” Manu said earlier this month. “But he took me in as a little brother right away. Not even just him, but I could go around the whole room of other vets, even Skipper. All those guys just took me in and gave me pointers on what to do better.
“Deck has been huge for me, especially in the offseason. Even today, every time I came off the field, he was telling me, ‘Hey, next time do this. You could do this better. Hand placement here next time.’ Great to have guys like that.”
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