Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard just poured some gas on the fire of the idea of him being LSU's next head coach
On Saturday, LSU fired Brian Kelly, and since then, LSU fans and alumni have taken to social media to proclaim that they want Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Shppard to be the man for the job. At this point, it's expected that he's going to be a frontrunner for the role and that LSU is more than likely going to reach out to inquire.
That, of course, doesn't mean that Sheppard will a, take the role or b, take an interview. This could all be for nothing at the end of the day. But Sheppard certainly doesn't appear to be shying away from the idea. On Instagram, there have been LSU fans calling for Sheppard to be the man for the job, and Sheppard is liking those mentions.
Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard has been liking comments tagging him as the potential LSU head coach. Including an AI-generated photo of him on the LSU sideline
Again, all of this could mean nothing. Don't freak out just yet. Sheppard talks to local media on Thursday, and he's bound to get asked about it. He might just flat out say no right then and there, and then it's all over. But look, this stuff can't be ignored.
At the end of the day, this is the price of being a good football team. Other teams want to be like you, and that means they want to take guys from you to make it happen. That includes college teams. Bill O'Brien is a good example of this. He spent years with the Patriots in different positions, and after one year as the OC, he was offered and accepted the head coaching job at Penn State. It happens. We'll see where things go with Sheppard and his alma mater eventually.
Lions Get Some Good News on Starting Left Tackle
The Detroit Lions waited close to a month to get starting left tackle Taylor Decker back on the field after he dealt with a nagging shoulder injury, but it appeared they may have lost him again after just one game back.
Decker aggravated his shoulder in the team’s Oct. 20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leaving him with an uncertain status for the upcoming game. Head coach Dan Campbell had a bit of good news this week, raising hopes that Decker won’t have to miss any more time.
Taylor Decker Returning to Practice
Speaking to reporters, Campbell explained that Decker would miss practice on Tuesday but would be back on the field before the end of the week.
“I see him practicing [Thursday], not today. He did yesterday, but I don’t see him practicing today,” Campbell said on Tuesday, via SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit.
Decker had been dealing with shoulder pains for much of the season, getting knocked out after the team’s Sept. 28 win over the Cleveland Browns and not returning until the game against the Buccaneers on Oct. 20.
The return wasn’t so smooth, with Decker telling reporters after the game that he aggravated the injury.
“Not great,” Decker told the Detroit Free Press when asked how he felt after the game.
Decker was able to play all 68 offensive snaps in the win over the Buccaneers, then the top team in the NFC, but the left tackle gave up a sack that led to a Jared Goff fumble. While Decker played well otherwise, Campbell said the veteran lineman was frustrated by the mistake.
“He’s a perfectionist,” Campbell said, via the Detroit Free Press. “He’s a prideful guy and he wants to know he can play his best kind of football and it can get frustrating when you know you’re not 100%.
“And so I understand what that is but – and like I tell him, you help us though, you elevate us. And I just appreciate the fact he’s out there trying to get it done and hopefully we can get it to calm down and good news is I think there’s still some strength in it, but the guy’s a stud, man. He is.”
Decker had the benefit of the bye week to get some extra recovery time, and his status for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings will become clearer by the end of the week.
More Injury News for the Lions
The Lions could get another big return this week as running back and special teams mainstay Sione Vaki is expected to practice the entire week. He has missed the last four games with a groin injury, but could be close to returning this week.
“Vaki practiced yesterday. He’s going to practice today. He’s going to practice Thursday after the day off,” Campbell said. “So we’re hopeful. He looked good. He looks good right now, and hopefully we can get him to the game. That’s the plan.”
The Lions are also moving closer to getting defensive lineman Marcus Davenport back after suffering a Week 2 chest injury, but Campbell said he would remain on IR for at least a little longer.
“He is improving, but I can’t give you a definitive ‘this is when he’s going to be back.’ I’m just very confident he is going to be back. We’re going to get him back here,” Campbell said.
