Taylor Decker's health could make all the difference vs. Buccaneers

While the Detroit Lions aren't too banged up on offense, especially compared to their injury woes on defense, they are missing a key member of the O-line: Taylor Decker.

The tackle has missed the Lions' last two games, replaced first by Giovanni Manu who then landed on the IR following a so-so performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5. For Week 6, Dan Skipper was elevated to the active roster and did a solid enough job in pass protection against the Kansas City Chiefs.

But, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Lions have to be hoping Decker is good to go against a defensive line that features Vita Vea, Haason Reddick, and Yaya Diaby. Without Decker, the Lions could see some struggles from a less mobile Jared Goff, and from an already-stagnant "run on first down no matter what" offense from John Morton.

Decker's health could make world of a difference vs. Buccaneers

Decker, who could be good to go depending on how this week's practice goes for him, has been dealing with a shoulder injury for the last couple of weeks. He was understandably sidelined out of an abundance of caution for Week 5 and 6, but Week 7 poses a major test for Detroit's ability to both avoid back to back losses and to avoid heading into the bye with a loss.

Decker, 31, is part of the two headed monster for the Lions' offensive line that features All-Pro Penei Sewell. The duo was key to the Lions' success against the Chicago Bears, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Cleveland Browns in recent weeks. But, it just feels like the Lions have been dealt such a tough hand with the number of star edge rushers they've had to face the last few weeks.

This week, the Buccaneers feature a ton of threats on the D-line that just start with Vea. Decker's addition back to the line would be key if he's healthy, but if he's not at 100 percent, then it might be a waste of his recovery to throw him back out there. With how well Skipper played in his place, perhaps the Lions are more comfortable giving him an extra two weeks of rest.

Detroit Lions injury report: Kerby Joseph won't play vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Detroit Lions' depth problems in the secondary keep getting worse.

The Lions ruled safety Kerby Joseph out on Saturday, Oct. 18, for Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of the knee injury he suffered last month.

Joseph missed his sixth straight practice Saturday and wore a brace on his knee as he limped through the locker room after practice. He has played through knee pain the past two weeks, though Lions coach Dan Campbell said he was "feeling better" before practice.

 

"He’s dealing with something and it’s affecting him right now so we’ve just got to get it to calm down, help him," Campbell said.

The Lions (4-2) will be without their top three safeties and top two cornerbacks Monday. Along with Joseph, starting safety Brian Branch will serve a one-game suspension this week and top backup Avonte Maddox is out for the second straight week with a hamstring injury. At cornerback, Terrion Arnold will miss his second straight game with a shoulder injury and fellow starter D.J. Reed is on injured reserve with a strained hamstring.

Amik Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin are expected to start at cornerback, Thomas Harper will play one safety spot and the Lions could use Loren Strickland, Jammie Robinson or Erick Hallett at the other safety spot.

The Lions also ruled running back Sione Vaki out with a groin injury and listed left tackle Taylor Decker and defensive tackles DJ Reader and Alim McNeill as questionable.

Campbell said Decker was "trending" towards returning after a two-week absence due to a shoulder injury. McNeill is expected to make his season debut after last year's ACL injury, and Reader plans to play through a back injury that limited him in practice.

Wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David are questionable for the Bucs, while running back Bucky Irving and receiver Chris Godwin are out.

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