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Detroit Lions Tip Hand With Interesting Week 2 Elevation

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The Detroit Lions may have given fans a clue about Taylor Decker’s status for Sunday’s home opener against the Chicago Bears. On Saturday afternoon, the team announced just one practice squad elevation, linebacker Monty Rice.

That might not sound like a big deal, but here’s where it gets interesting: the Lions had the option to elevate an offensive lineman. They didn’t.

What it means for Taylor Decker

That decision leaves Detroit with just eight available offensive linemen for gameday. If Taylor Decker were to be inactive, that would likely push rookie Giovanni Manu into the starting spot at left tackle.

It doesn’t guarantee Decker will play, but it’s a pretty strong hint that the team expects him to be ready despite not practicing all week with a shoulder injury.

Head coach Dan Campbell kept things somewhat vague on Friday, but his words carried a confident tone.

“Decker’s played a lot of football. And so, he’ll be ready as long as it feels right,” Campbell said as quoted by Pride of Detroit. “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 (he’ll play), but that’s where it’s at.”

Why it matters

Decker is not just a veteran piece, he’s a cornerstone of Detroit’s offensive line. Without him, the Bears’ defense would be looking at a huge mismatch off the edge. But with him, Jared Goff’s blindside protection should be in good hands.

As for Rice, his elevation suggests the Lions want extra linebacker depth heading into a physical NFC North showdown. He’ll add some help on special teams and as a rotational piece in the second level.

Bottom Line

The Lions’ decision not to elevate an offensive lineman points to Decker being on track to play. If he suits up, Detroit’s offensive line remains intact for a massive divisional game at Ford Field.

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Don Drysdale

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