“Downgraded”: Detroit Lions Have Brutal News for $60 Million Starter

Detroit Lions starting left tackle Taylor Decker underwent shoulder surgery during the offseason, and the injury flared up again after Week 1. He has been on the injury report since Week 2 and missed eight out of nine practice sessions over the past three weeks. Despite this, Decker has suited up every game so far, a testament to his toughness.

Detroit Lions have brutal news for $60 million starter

For the third consecutive week, Taylor Decker missed the entire week of practice, prompting the Lions to list him as questionable for Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals. According to Adam Schefter, the team downgraded the Pro Bowl left tackle from questionable to doubtful, which would be a significant loss for the offensive line. They will release their inactive players list 90 minutes before kickoff, officially deciding Decker’s fate.

Lions downgraded OT Taylor Decker to Doubtful for today’s game at Cincinnati due to his shoulder injury.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 5, 2025

Who starts in his stead?

The plan is for Giovanni Manu to make his first career start at left tackle, with Taylor Decker not expected to play. The fourth-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft has only logged seven snaps in 2025 over his two-year NFL career after redshirting his rookie season. Manu will be tasked with blocking Bengals’ superstar EDGE rusher Trey Hendrickson, no easy task.

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