By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions faced Sunday’s 37-24 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals without one of their most crucial players. Starting left tackle Taylor Decker was a last-minute scratch after missing practice all week due to a lingering shoulder injury. The Lions had hoped their veteran blocker would play, but instead second-year tackle Giovanni Manu stepped into the role.
Decker’s absence left fans anxiously awaiting an update from head coach Dan Campbell. Unfortunately, Campbell’s latest words offered little reassurance. “He has not quite been able to catch up to — we feel like there’s been diminishing returns every week,” Campbell said after the game, according to The Detroit News’ Nolan Bianchi. That kind of statement is far from comforting for Lions supporters.
The uncertainty surrounding Decker’s recovery is equally troubling. Campbell told reporters there’s no definitive timetable, and Decker could miss Week 6’s matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. “We’re gonna look at everything we can” to get him back on the field, Campbell added.
Decker has battled shoulder injuries before, including starting the 2017 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. This season has seen similar struggles — he’s missed most practices since Week 2 and is posting career-low numbers. Pro Football Focus gave him a 63.6 overall grade, with a 63.1 pass protection rating, far below last year’s Pro Bowl 78.0, and he’s already allowed 10 quarterback pressures.
Manu’s performance Sunday only underscored Detroit’s reliance on Decker. The young lineman struggled to protect quarterback Jared Goff, making the Lions’ offensive line vulnerabilities painfully clear. If Decker can’t return soon, Detroit faces a steep challenge against the Chiefs, who will test the offensive front regardless of their current pass rush ranking.