Lions Sign 3 Players Amid Injury Issues, Including 61-Game Starter
With starting tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell both battling through shoulder injuries and swing tackle Dan Skipper also nursing a back issue, the Detroit Lions have added reinforcements, signing three offensive linemen to their practice squad: Jack Conley, Chris Hubbard and Netane Muti.
“Nothing sounds long term which is good,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said about the injuries to Sewell and Decker. “That’s good news. I think it’s more about are they going to be able to practice this week and are they going to be able to play this week? But nothing beyond that I don’t feel like as of right now.”
They may not be worried about the health of Sewell and Decker long-term, but it’s always good to have depth, as general manager Brad Holmes knows.
Let’s take a closer look at each of the O-linemen added to the Lions practice squad.
More on New Detroit Lions OL Signing Jack Conley
Jack Conley, 24, is a developmental tackle with some pretty intriguing traits. Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing around 330 pounds, the former Boston College standout is a lengthy lineman with the frame and lateral range to fit seamlessly as a zone blocker.
Conley’s college tape showed both promise and rawness: He’s good with his hand placement, and had a solid first step, but there are definite inconsistencies when it comes to his pad level.
In Detroit, offensive line coach/run game coordinator Hank Fraley has a history of refining such traits, so he’s in good hands.
More on New Detroit Lions OL Signings Chris Hubbard & Netane Muti
GettyThe Detroit Lions have signed veteran OL Chris Hubbard to their practice squad.
Veteran Chris Hubbard is the most experienced of the three. A 34-year-old with over 100 games and 61 starts, Hubbard has spent time with the Steelers, Browns, Titans, 49ers and Giants.
His addition gives the Lions some immediate insurance. He’s a veteran swing tackle who can be plugged into either side with minimal disruption. Hubbard’s most productive stretch came during his 2018 campaign with Cleveland, where he started 16 games and anchored a line that ranked among the league’s most improved in pass protection.
He has battled injuries in recent seasons—his 2023 stint with Tennessee ended early—but his technical reliability and experience make him a stabilizing presence and potential mentor for other young O-linemen around.
Netane Muti, by contrast, is nowhere near as experienced, but he’s an impressive physical specimen nonetheless. At 6-foot-3 and 325 pounds, the former Fresno State product and Denver Broncos draftee has excellent lower body strength, and he’s pretty strong in the upper region, too. He had a 44-rep bench press at the combine.
Muti spent time with Detroit in 2024 before landing on injured reserve, making this a reunion of sorts. His reintroduction to the roster gives the Lions another interior brawler who is best in short yardage situations.
A Look at What’s Ahead for the Lions
Week 10, Detroit will go on the road to face the Washington Commanders on November 9.
The Lions are fresh from losing at home to NFC North rivals the Minnesota Vikings, 27-24, and Detroit is hoping to get back on track this week.
“Got a lot of respect for what (Commanders Head Coach) Dan Quinn’s done out there. Good program,” Campbell said on November 5. “They’ve gotten some injuries, some things that they’ve been trying to overcome here – and really no different than us though, coming off a loss and getting back on their feet. We’re getting back on our feet and cleaning things up and find a way to be competitive and get the win.”
If the Lions can cut down the penalties — the had 10 in their loss to the Vikings — they should be able to overcome a Washington squad that will be without starting QB Jayden Daniels.
Saints Set Tyler Shough Up to Fail: Offensive Line Neglect Is Coaching Malpractice
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Tyler Shough has been criticized for his inability to stay healthy during his collegiate career. This issue persists as he nearly got hurt in his first start, and the New Orleans Saints offensive line must protect Shough in order for him to start for the remainder of the season.
ESPN's Katherine Terrell reported that Shough couldn’t close his jaw properly until Tuesday because of a hit he suffered against the Los Angeles Rams. He is fully healthy heading into week 10 but this still creates concerns about his durability. His talent doesn’t matter if he’s not on the field.
Just because there are concerns doesn’t mean he should be labeled as injury-prone. He’s missed tons of time with injury but none are persistent issues, such as a hamstring for a wide receiver. He broke his collarbone twice and his fibula once in college. These aren’t likely to happen again.
The Saints offensive line needs to improve
The offensive line is a major concern for the Saints. The tackles are young, but great. Taliese Fuaga and Kelvin Banks both have room to improve but are capable of protecting Shough. The worries are more on the interior.
This group fell apart after Erik McCoy suffered a season ending injury. In addition, starting left guard Trevor Penning was traded on Tuesday. This leaves Cesar Ruiz as the singular week one starter remaining, who has been criticized for his play when McCoy is injured. Luke Fortner and Dillon Radunz will both have to step up.
The easiest way to get pressure against New Orleans is right up the middle, and it's the most impactful versus any offense. This is what made players like Aaron Donald so dangerous. Shough has consistently struggled against pressure in his career, so having a faltering interior is not a recipe for his future success or health. The offensive line needs to improve in a hurry for Shough to have any impact in his rookie season.
Tyler Shough already had an injury scare in his first career start. Questions about his durability are already being brought up. The offensive line needs to silence these questions and protect their rookie quarterback. It will be the difference between him having a successful, or an injury-riddled first season.
