Taylor Decker was back as a full participant in Wednesday’s Detroit Lions practice. That’s a very welcome sight as the Lions prepare for Sunday’s showdown against the Buffalo Bills in Ford Field.
Decker, the Lions’ starting left tackle, has missed the last two games after suffering a knee injury in the Week 12 win in Indianapolis. Dan Skipper has filled in capably as Decker’s replacement, but there’s a noticeable difference in Detroit’s offense when Decker isn’t on the field. It’s most evident in the run game, specifically Jahmyr Gibbs and also the inside runs.
Gibbs was still able to hit a couple of home runs in the Thanksgiving win over the Bears, but nearly all of his success came to the right side of the line, following Kevin Zeitler and Penei Sewell. On three carries to the left of center Frank Ragnow, Gibbs netted a total of 11 yards. A week later against Green Bay, Gibbs had his worst game of the season, netting 43 yards on 15 carries. Anything between the tackles was quickly snuffed out, as the combination of Skipper and left guard Graham Glasgow really struggled to complete their run-blocking assignments.
Green Bay’s defensive front deserves some credit for that, but Decker’s physical presence and savvy were missed, too. His quickness off the snap and readiness at the point of attack just isn’t there with Skipper, and it appears to impact Glasgow’s effectiveness, too.
David Mongtomery has also suffered when Decker hasn’t played. When Decker missed the win over Houston, Montgomery had a season-worst 32 yards on 12 carries. That game was Detroit’s worst rushing grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024, and Decker’s absence was not coincidental.
The Lions have been utilizing zone running concepts more than in prior years under Ben Johnson as the offensive coordinator and Hank Fraley as the offensive line coach. That shift from being more gap and duo-dominant has suited Decker very well. No. 68 carries his power well in zone, and his vision and engagement balance in zone blocks, which focus more on blocking a spot than a specific player, greatly exceeds what Skipper offers.
Getting Decker back also shifts Skipper into his familiar 6th lineman role, where the giant veteran might be the NFL’s best. The Lions haven’t used the sixth OL much with Decker out and Skipper at LT; Detroit went “heavy” three times (all practice squad elevation Jamarco Jones) on Thanksgiving and didn’t use that package once against Green Bay. With Decker back, it opens up that portion of the playbook for Johnson & Co. against the Bills.
Provided Decker remains a full participant and carries nothing worse than a questionable designation for Sunday’s game against Buffalo, the Lions run offense is poised for a more diverse, bigger game in Week 15.