The Detroit Lions did a lot of work this offseason to improve an iffy offensive line. But that new-look unit just suffered a bit of a setback.
Over the past three seasons, the Detroit Lions have been inept when it comes to running the football. While they’ve yet to secure the services of a dependable performer in the backfield (not for a lack of trying), the play of the offensive line has been suspect at best.
This offseason, general manager Bob Quinn turned to free agency to address the issue. He signed right guard T.J. Lang and right tackle Ricky Wagner away from the Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens, respectively. Combine that with the decision in 2016 to use the 16th overall pick on Ohio State University Taylor Decker.
The 6-foot-7, 310-pound performer would start all 16 games in his rookie campaign. He is Pro Football Focus’ 23rd-ranked offensive tackle in the league. The trio of Decker, Lang and Wagner would be a solid foundation up front for Jim Caldwell’s club.
But as reported by Kyle Meinke of MLive.com, Decker was injured last week and was forced to undergo shoulder surgery this week. He’ll be on the mend for a few months. The head coach stated that Decker could miss the beginning of the regular season. Caldwell also told Meinke that he expects the young blocker “to play at some point in 2017.”
“Anytime that you’ve had surgery, you just don’t know details (about) how long it actually takes,” explained Caldwell. “Like I said, we’ll update you in the fall.”
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It’s safe to say that this is a bit of a setback for a Detroit Lions’ squad that reached the playoffs this past season. But it’s also a club that enters 2017 with a four-game losing streak, which includes a wild card setback at Seattle. Decker was one of the team’s biggest bright spots this past year. Caldwell and company can only hope for a speedy recovery.
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