NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports disappointingly on two injured Detroit Lions players.
Thursday morning started with shocking news from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. According to his sources, Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery and left tackle Taylor Decker are not expected to play Thursday against the Green Bay Packers.
“There was some optimism at the beginning of the week, but I was told Montgomery wasn’t going to play tonight,” Pelissero said on “Good Morning Football” Thursday morning.
This is in stark contrast to the comments made by Lions coach Dan Campbell and the players themselves.
“I feel like the two that are trending the most right now are probably Decker and D-Mo,” Campbell said Tuesday. “Those are the two that are starting to make me feel pretty good.”
Decker, in particular, seemed pretty confident about playing this week despite a high ankle sprain and bone bruise.
“It’s going to hurt, but as long as I’m functional I can handle the pain,” Decker said Monday. “I’ve done it many times. I’m confident I can go out there and help us win, so it’ll be fun to be out there with everyone again.”
If Decker is indeed inactive in this game, the Lions’ offensive tackle situation is in serious jeopardy. Backup Matt Nelson suffered a serious ankle injury last week and will be placed on injured reserve. His substitute Dan Skipper also left the game early due to a thigh injury. Skipper’s condition is currently unknown as he returned to the training squad after the game and did not need to be included in the injury report.
If Skipper isn’t healthy enough to play, the Lions will likely rely on fifth-round rookie Colby Sorsdal to start at right tackle. Sorsdal has been playing guard since the Lions selected him, but he played tackle in college. Additionally, the Lions literally have no depth at tackle, so expect them to promote either undrafted rookie Connor Galvin or Max Pircher.
As for Montgomery, while he plays a key role in what the Lions want to accomplish in the run game, Detroit did well without him last week against the Atlanta Falcons. Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs did most of the work and finished with 80 rushing yards on 17 carries.
A bit of positive – and also unexpected – news is the report from Pelissero that Emmanuel Moseley is expected to make his Lions debut in 2023, strengthening the Lions secondary. Earlier in the week, Campbell suggested that when Moseley is ready, he will be added to the lineup and split time with Jerry Jacobs.
“That will be the plan to work him in and I think more than anything it will be standard,” Campbell said. “Definitely give him a few times in a row so he gets a good feeling, and I think most of it will be – we’ll call his representatives more like governor so we’re clear about that when he comes back. “
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