The Detroit Lions are knee-deep into the 2025-26 NFL season, and so far, things are going pretty well. The team is 3-1, with their only loss of the season being their first game against the Green Bay Packers, and they have momentum on their side as they head into a high-profile game against the Cincinnati Bengals on the road.
The Bengals are 2-2, and they don’t have franchise quarterback Joe Burrow right now, since Burrow is sidelined through at least early December with an injury. But, as it turns out, Detroit is dealing with their own injuries. Let’s hope it doesn’t get to the point that it was last season, when the team had a good chunk of its defensive roster out.
Just hours before the Lions vs. Bengals game, the team announced that one of their most reliable players is going to be sidelined for the Cincinnati game, which will make it that much harder for those on the field.
Detroit Lions Staple Sidelined
On their X account on Sunday, the Lions announced that Taylor Decker, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, has been downgraded to doubtful for Sunday’s game at Cincinnati.
Followers were quick to comment on the news. No game is a layup in the NFL but if we want Decker to get healthy, this is a great game to allow him to rest up,” one said. “Get some rest big guy, if there was ever a game to miss it’s today,” another noted.
So, the general consensus is that even though it hurts to have Decker out, it’s better to have him out in this game rather than a game against a tougher opponent, such as the Vikings or Packers.
If Decker is out, the Detroit Lions may turn to second-year lineman Giovanni Manu or Devin Cochran, who was elevated from the practice squad over the weekend. It’s a sticky situation, but hopeful the Lions will prevail.
In the Lions’ game against the Cleveland Browns, Decker had 56 offensive snaps and a 40.4 overall offensive grade, according to PFF. That wasn’t as strong a showing as he had during the team’s Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, where he clocked an 82.9 grade and allowed just three pressures on 30 pass-blocking snaps.
Detroit Lions Making Waves in the NFL
In other news, in the NFL’s Week 5 power rankings, which were released on Tuesday, September 30, Eric Edholm has the Lions at No. 3 on the tally. Other power rankings have Detroit high, too.
“Detroit was not prolific offensively against Cleveland, but no one has been this season,” Edholm notes in the feature. Still, this is the second time in four games where the Lions have been kept somewhat grounded on offense, even if they’ve taken good care of the football. Committing five offensive penalties was out of character, and Detroit’s still trying to hone the connection between Jared Goff and Jameson Williams.”
Hopefully Goff and Williams will have some special moments in Sunday’s game against the Bengals. The opportunity will be there, and either way, it’s shaping up to be an exciting few hours of football.
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