By Sunday 
A Tough Break for Jamarco Jones
The Detroit Lions’ offensive line depth just took a hit before their Week 1 clash against the Green Bay Packers. Veteran tackle Jamarco Jones has been placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury, forcing him to miss at least the first four games of the season.
Jones had secured the OT3 role and was set to feature in heavy formations, but the setback throws a wrench into those plans. With Dan Skipper also sidelined, the Lions are turning to younger depth to step up.
Enter Giovanni Manu: The Next Man Up
That brings us to Giovanni Manu, a massive fourth-round pick out of the University of British Columbia. Manu spent his rookie year as a healthy scratch, but now he’s in line for his first real NFL action—on the road, at Lambeau Field, no less.
Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley acknowledged Manu’s growth but was honest about the journey ahead:
“He’s not where we want him to be yet, and he’s not where he wants to be yet. But the good thing about him is, he works hard at it. It’s not perfect … it’s just being consistent, and he’s gotten more consistent in time.”
Fraley added that the Lions will need to count on Manu at some point this season, and Week 1 might be his first big test.
Depth Reinforcements Elsewhere
The Lions didn’t stop at the offensive line. With Sione Vaki sidelined by a hamstring injury, the team signed Jacob Saylors to the active roster. Saylors, who impressed during preseason, has already earned praise from Dan Campbell:
“There’s something about him, he’s kind of a football player. He’s pretty crafty, pretty nifty. He’s got detail to what he does … and we like him.”
The Lions also promoted Anthony Pittman to bolster the linebacker group, with Trevor Nowaske ruled out due to an elbow injury. Pittman, a reliable special teams contributor, should slot in seamlessly.
What This Means for Week 1
The Lions are walking into Green Bay with some unexpected adjustments, but that’s the NFL—next man up. Manu’s potential debut will be one of the storylines to watch, especially against a Packers defense that loves to pressure the edges.
If the young lineman rises to the occasion, this early challenge could turn into the start of a promising career.