The Detroit Lions lost a couple of players to injury again in Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but it sounds like most of the news is promising, according to coach Dan Campbell.
Let’s start with left tackle Taylor Decker, who did not play on Sunday due to a lingering shoulder injury that he’s been dealing with since the start of the regular season. Campbell explained that the team opted to sit him because the recovery time in between each start has not been enough for him to eventually get better. It’s unclear if he’ll miss more time.
“Every week, the recovery has been less and less,” Campbell explained. “He’s not been able to quite catch up—we feel like there’s diminishing returns each week. Man, it’s a little, ah. We just felt like we need to give this guy a little time, and I don’t know how long. But this is so we get him back. That’s what this is. Man, let’s get this thing to calm down, let’s get some strength back in the shoulder to where he feels good.”
In Decker’s spot, the Lions played second-year tackle Giovanni Manu, who Campbell admitted had an up-and-down day that included at least two sacks allowed, one of which resulted in a fumble.
“I thought he did some good things in the run game. I thought there were some play (action) passes he did a good job (on). And then there were some that they weren’t good, and he’ll learn from. He’s gotta learn from. That’s what you look forward to,“ Campbell said.
In the game, the Lions lost the services of Kalif Raymond, who took a wicked shot to the head on a punt return. After a trip to the medical tent and a carting to the locker room, he was eventually ruled out with a neck injury. His status for next week is unknown, but Campbell believes he avoided a serious injury.
“I can’t tell you what it’s gonna be next week, but this does not feel like some serious (injury),” Campbell said. “That doesn’t mean he’ll play next week, but it’s good news, in other words. As a matter of fact, he told me, ‘That didn’t feel too good, but I’m good.’”
Cornerback Terrion Arnold suffered a shoulder injury and did not return in this game. Campbell did not have a significant update on him, just noting that they’ll know more on Monday.
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