By Moses Joshua 
Decker and Sewell’s return bolsters Lions ahead of crucial clash with Commanders
A Balanced Day at Practice
The Detroit Lions walked onto the practice field Thursday with a mix of relief and lingering concern. As reported by Ben Raven of MLive, three players were absent from drills, but two of Detroit’s most critical offensive linemen — Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell — were back in uniform, signaling a timely boost before Sunday’s pivotal matchup against the Washington Commanders.
While safety Kerby Joseph, running back Jacob Saylors, and defensive lineman Pat O’Connor missed practice, the sight of both Decker and Sewell participating was a much-needed morale lift for head coach Dan Campbell and his staff.
The Good News: Decker and Sewell Back in Action
Detroit’s offensive line has endured its share of adversity this season. Injuries have tested the unit’s depth, particularly with rookie Christian Mahogany landing on injured reserve due to a broken bone. Seeing both starting tackles trending in the right direction could not come at a better time.
Decker has been managing shoulder and knee issues, while Sewell briefly exited last week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings before returning to finish the game. Their return restores stability to a group that’s been reshuffled far too often this season.
Facing a Commanders defense known for its relentless pass rush, having Decker and Sewell available could make all the difference in keeping quarterback Jared Goff upright and giving Detroit’s run game room to breathe.
The Bad News: Kerby Joseph Still Sidelined
The Lions’ secondary continues to battle injury woes, with Kerby Joseph’s recovery from a knee bone bruise progressing slower than expected. The talented third-year safety has now missed multiple games, and his status for Week 10 remains uncertain.
Detroit has already been stretched thin in the defensive backfield this year, juggling absences from D.J. Reed and Brian Branch earlier in the season. Joseph’s absence leaves another hole in a defense trying to rebound from recent struggles against the pass.
Special team contributor Pat O’Connor and reserve running back Jacob Saylors were also missing from Thursday’s session, though their statuses are less impactful to Detroit’s core lineup.
Looking Ahead: Lions Eye Rebound Opportunity
At 5–3, the Lions remain in strong position within the NFC North, but after back-to-back disappointments, the upcoming road game against Washington carries extra weight. The return of Decker and Sewell provides a tangible spark of optimism for an offense that needs to regain its rhythm.
If Detroit can protect Goff and reestablish its dominance up front, they’ll be well-positioned to bounce back — even as the defense continues to fight through its injury setbacks.
Sunday’s matchup will be a true test of resilience. But with two of their biggest linemen back in the fold, the Lions might finally have the edge they’ve been missing.