By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions may have secured a 37–24 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, but the absence of left tackle Taylor Decker was hard to ignore.
Taking his spot was Giovanni Manu, a second-year lineman from the University of British Columbia. Facing Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is a tall order for even the most seasoned linemen, and for Manu, it was a baptism by fire. His afternoon turned out to be a struggle.
According to Pro Football Focus, Manu earned a pass-blocking grade of just 17.5 out of 100. He was responsible for two of the four sacks allowed on Jared Goff, including a terrifying blindside hit that left fans holding their breath. Before Sunday, Goff hadn’t been sacked in three straight games.
After the game, head coach Dan Campbell addressed Manu’s “up and down” performance and was asked whether the young lineman might start again if Decker remains unavailable against the Kansas City Chiefs.
> “We’ll see. You know, we’re going to look at everything. You know, certainly, (Dan Skipper’s) back, you know. So we’ll look at Skip. We brought Devin Cochran today. He’s a candidate, and then we’ll see where Decker’s at,” Campbell said.
It took a bit before Campbell even mentioned Manu again, eventually adding:
> “We’ll do what’s right (with Decker’s health) and then next man up. If it’s not him, it’s next man up. Whether that is Manu again, we’ll see. Or is it one of those other two guys I just mentioned?”
Being the fourth option in the conversation hardly sounded like a confident endorsement. Still, Manu was thrust into a tough spot, and the real game snaps should help him grow. But as tougher opponents loom, Campbell seems unwilling to take more chances.
Dan Skipper’s Return Brings Stability
On Wednesday, Detroit made it official — Dan Skipper was signed off the practice squad. Skipper had been part of the Lions’ final roster cuts in August before rejoining the practice squad shortly after. Bringing him back to the active roster adds a reliable veteran presence to the offensive line and prevents other teams from swooping in.
Skipper has spent most of his professional career with the Lions since first joining them in 2017. He’s had brief stints with other organizations but always seems to find his way back to Detroit. Across 57 career games, all but three have come in a Lions uniform. Last season, he appeared in all 17 regular-season games and the team’s playoff matchup, starting in five contests.
The Lions haven’t yet confirmed their left tackle plan for Sunday, but Skipper’s signing offers a big clue. Campbell still considers Decker the “first choice,” but resting him through the upcoming bye week makes sense to protect his long-term health. Sitting him now could mean having him fully ready for the stretch run instead of risking another setback.
While that decision may unsettle fans, it’s smarter than risking Decker’s season — or putting Manu in a playoff spot before he’s ready. Sunday’s showing against the Bengals made it clear that experience matters, especially when it comes to protecting Goff’s blindside.
Manu should continue seeing limited action to aid his development, but for now, the Lions need someone who already understands the assignment. That’s where Skipper comes in — dependable, familiar, and battle-tested.
His return provides short-term clarity at a crucial position. And who knows? With offensive coordinator John Morton known for creative play calls, fans can’t help but wonder if Skipper might extend his streak of making a catch for a third consecutive season.