Taylor Decker remains on the Detroit Lions injured reserve list more than two weeks after the team declared him eligible to return. The starting left tackle had a setback to his progress in returning from a finger injury last week and did not practice at all in the days leading into Week 8.
Now there is a very real chance the Lions lose Decker for the rest of the season. The Lions have until the return from the bye in Week 9 to either activate Decker or see him revert to injured reserve for the rest of the season.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell doesn’t regret the decision to start the clock on any potential return by Decker.
“It’s tough to say because all parties felt like it was the right time to do it,” Campbell said Friday, another day where Decker did not appear in practice. “It felt like, hey, he wanted to give it a go and certainly we would love to have him back whenever he’s capable. It’s hard to look back and regret that move at the time knowing what we know and where we were all at, all parties, but here it is.”
The Lions have open spots on the active roster, but Decker is not ready to take one of those. Will he be able to return after another week of rehab and progress? Or will Decker’s season end without ever playing a snap?
“All options are on the table,” Campbell summarized. “Everything is out there right now. Certainly, if it’s now it would be after the bye, which is probably what it’s looking like. But if it’s not then and we have the spot available – we’re not pressed to make a decision one way or another – yeah, we’d be open to that.”
For now, rookie Penei Sewell will continue to start at left tackle in Decker’s place, with Matt Nelson taking over on the right side.
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