The Detroit Lions will have a key player on the field as they face an early divisional challenge.
Tackle Taylor Decker was able to play in the team’s Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers after having offseason surgery on his shoulder, but missed all of the team’s practices this week with a shoulder issue.
His status had been up in the air heading into Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears, but the team announced on Sunday that he would be active.
Good Signs for Decker Heading into Sunday’s Game
The Lions had displayed some optimism on Decker’s status heading into their divisional showdown against the Bears. Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters this week that the veteran lineman hoped to play.
âFor the record, Deck wants to play,â Campbell said. âIâm going to make that very clear. Deck wants to play. So this is about the long-term season is what this is going to come down to, just as far as what we do for this one.â
Campbell added that Decker still had “a little bit of something” bothering him, but was not worried if he had to play in Sunday’s game after having missed practice.
âDeckerâs played a lot of football and so heâll be ready. Heâll be ready as long as it feels right,” Campbell said. “But yeah, we feel good right now and there again, we still got another day here so weâll see. I canât give you a definitive yes (on whether he plays), but thatâs where itâs at.â
As Jeremy Reisman of SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit added, the team’s practice squad elevations gave another positive sign for Decker’s status.
“The Detroit Lions may have tipped their hand when it comes to the injury status of left tackle Taylor Decker,” Reisman wrote. “The team announced on Saturday afternoon that they are only elevating newly-signed linebacker Monty Rice from the practice squad. Thatâs notable because the Lions did not add any offensive linemen from the practice squad, when they could have elevated Devin Cochran, Michael Niese, or Dan Skipper (currently injured).”
Lions Looking for First Win of the Season
The Lions went into Sunday’s game seeking their first win of the season and hoping to avoid falling into an early hole in the division. The Lions were outclassed by the Green Bay Packers in their Week 1 loss, and the Packers already went to 2-0 with a 27-18 win over the Washington Commanders on Thursday.
The Lions have won the NFC North for two straight years, but were expected to face a significant challenge from the rising Packers this year. The Lions may need a win against the Bears to keep pace, and head coach Dan Campbell put some extra pressure on the team by saying this week they “need” a win.
Campbell said he is ready to face former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, now the head coach of the Bears.
âBenâs my friend. Heâs always going to be my friend. But nothing about thatâs going to change,â Campbell said, via the Detroit News. âWeâre going in, getting ready to play Chicago. Weâre going to win this game. We have to.â
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