The 2025 season did not begin the way the Detroit Lions wanted it to.
The team went to Lambeau and got thoroughly outplayed by the Green Bay Packers. As a result, the Lions fell 27-13 and got their first conference loss early. It was an ugly game, but the team has another opportunity to get a division win on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
However, the team may have to enter that matchup without starting left tackle Taylor Decker. Decker was held out of practice all week with a shoulder injury and is listed as questionable for the Week 2 contest.
Head coach Dan Campbell was asked about the long-term injury management of Decker.
"He’s got a little bit something here, so we’re just trying to buy him some time here to where he feels better," said Campbell. "A lot of it, too, is the luxury of – Decker’s played a lot of football. And so, he’ll be ready as long as it feels right."
The coach also said he was "not sure" if this shoulder injury is related to the injury Decker had during the offseason.
If Decker can't go, Campbell did explain that he has faith in Giovanni Manu, who could be set for his first start.
"Well, he’s going to have to be ready," Campbell said. "And he knows that, he’s been getting reps all week. I did think he practiced better these last two days, which is good. He’s part of a whole unit, he’s part of all five of those guys up there. He’ll be ready."
Manu was selected by the Lions in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of the University of British Columbia. Manu didn't get in any games as a rookie, but he's earned rave reviews in practice and during camp.
The line didn't impress in Week 1 even with the linemen being healthy. Decker, for example, earned a poor 55.2 Pro Football Focus grade and allowed one sack. In total, the Lions' line allowed four sacks and nine tackles for loss.
Decker mentioned after that game that the line was having problems communicating due to the Packers rotating defenders and the crowd at Lambeau being as loud as it was. At one point, Tate Ratledge and Graham Glasgow straight up ran into each other.
You'd have to think communication issues could be a problem again if they have a first-time starter at left tackle. Being at home should help, though, and the Bears don't have the defensive front that the Packers have.