Detroit Lions in wait-and-see mode concerning starting left tackle’s shoulder

ALLEN PARK - Taylor Decker landed on the practice report with a shoulder injury on Thursday, and the Detroit Lions aren't sure about his status for this weekend's trip to face the Houston Texans.

Decker was not listed with an injury on the first practice report of the week, then was limited on Thursday and held out to end the week on Friday.

"It's really about how he heals up," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said.

"I don't feel like this is something major, but we need to see, really, how he feels over the next 48 hours."

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The Lions have moved Penei Sewell to left tackle when Decker has been forced to missed time in the last couple of seasons. Sewell logged 536 snaps at left tackle as a rookie when Decker injured his finger ahead of the season, and then 142 snaps there last season when Decker suffered an ankle injury in the opener.

If that were to happen again, it would likely be either Dan Skipper or Colby Sorsdal at right tackle. Sorsdal has been a healthy scratch for most of the season, drawing five snaps on special teams in his lone game of action.

Skipper operates as the team's extra offensive linemen for their beloved heavy-set formations. The veteran big man has experience at both tackle spots and both guard spots in recent years for the Lions. But if they wanted to keep him in his role as the oft-used sixth blocker, then Sorsdal could be the name to watch.

Sorsdal played in 16 games and even started three times as a rookie last season. He did a little bit of everything, too, with 94 reps at left guard, 123 at right guard and another 36 at right tackle. The Lions have continued to work with the 2023 fifth-round pick on the path to development and readiness.

Decker has played through a ton of injuries and bumps along the way in the past, and while missing Friday's practice before a road trip isn't a great sign, he's one of those players that can't be counted out. Hank Fraley, the team's offensive line coach, has earned a ton of praise for his work to fill in the gaps and have anyone ready. Fraley could be tested in that regard once again based on what we're hearing and seeing in Allen Park.

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