The Detroit Lions may have emerged from their Week 10 win over the Houston Texans with a victory, but they did so at a cost. Injuries to two key offensive players—left tackle Taylor Decker and tight end Sam LaPorta—have raised some concerns as the Lions head into their Week 11 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Sam LaPorta’s Shoulder Injury: Good News, Bad News
The more serious of the two injuries appeared to be LaPorta’s, as the rookie tight end left the game with what was later confirmed to be an AC joint injury in his shoulder. Head coach Dan Campbell was quick to calm any fears, indicating that while LaPorta’s injury is significant enough to potentially sideline him for Week 11, it doesn’t seem to be a long-term concern.
LaPorta, who has been one of the Lions’ breakout stars this season, has been a reliable target in the passing game, and his absence would be a blow to the offense. However, Campbell seemed optimistic that LaPorta would not be sidelined for an extended period. With Detroit facing a tough road matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, LaPorta’s status for Sunday remains uncertain, and the Lions could be forced to lean on other weapons in his potential absence.
Taylor Decker’s Shoulder Injury: A Questionable Return
On the offensive line, the Lions were without veteran left tackle Taylor Decker, who sustained a shoulder injury during practice last Thursday. Decker has been a staple on the line for Detroit all season, and his absence raised questions about how the Lions would handle the Texans’ defense.
Campbell addressed the situation on Monday, noting that while Decker is “questionable” for Week 11, he is “trending the right way.” That’s a positive sign for Lions fans hoping to see the Pro Bowl left tackle back in action sooner rather than later. Decker has been listed on the injury report at times throughout the season but had yet to miss a game. This marks the first time he’s been sidelined this year, so his return will be crucial to maintaining the stability of the Lions’ offensive line, especially with a tough stretch of games ahead.
Filling In for Decker: Dan Skipper’s Unlikely Spot Start
With Decker out, the Lions were forced to make adjustments along the offensive line. Detroit opted to leave Penei Sewell at his usual right tackle position and plug in Dan Skipper to play left tackle. It was a logical move, as Campbell explained, given the limited practice time leading up to the game. Skipper had only six career snaps at left tackle before being thrust into the role against Houston. The result was predictably shaky: Skipper struggled in pass protection, allowing three pressures and posting a 39.5 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.
While Skipper’s performance wasn’t disastrous, it was clear that the Lions felt the loss of Decker. In the end, the Texans’ defensive front didn’t cause significant issues, but the Lions will certainly need better play from their backup offensive linemen if Decker is unable to suit up against Jacksonville.
Looking Ahead: Injury Concerns as Lions Head to Jacksonville
As the Lions prepare for their Week 11 showdown with the Jaguars, both Decker and LaPorta’s availability will be key factors in determining how effective the offense can be. While LaPorta’s injury appears to be more of a short-term concern, Decker’s return will be vital for the stability of the offensive line. With the playoffs in sight, the Lions cannot afford to lose their anchor up front for long stretches of the season.
Campbell’s comments suggest that Decker is at least on the right track, and there’s hope he will be able to suit up on Sunday. However, if Decker is unavailable, it will be up to Skipper and the rest of the offensive line to step up and keep quarterback Jared Goff protected against the Jaguars’ pass rush.
For now, Lions fans will be anxiously awaiting updates throughout the week, hoping for a clean bill of health for their key offensive contributors. With the team sitting at 7-2 and still in the hunt for a division title, every game counts, and Detroit will need all hands on deck to keep the momentum going against Jacksonville.
