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The Detroit Lions are continuing to hurt on the offensive line. Greg Robinson and Emmett Cleary sat out of Wednesday’s practice with ankle injuries. Taylor Decker remains on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list after his shoulder surgery. Even though Corey Robinson returned to practice this week, he must remain on the injured reserve list for at least another two weeks.
As a result, the Lions are extremely shorthanded, and apparently they’re looking high and low for some help. According to NFL insider Adam Caplan, Detroit worked out former Packers offensive lineman Don Barclay on Wednesday.
#Lions worked out former #Packers OL Don Barclay today.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) October 25, 2017
This appears to be a little more than your normal weekly workout, as those tend to come on Tuesdays. Barclay was released earlier in the week from Green Bay’s injured reserve list. Barclay suffered an ankle injury during the preseason and had been on IR ever since.
The veteran offensive lineman brings experience and versatility. Barclay played at all five offensive line positions in Green Bay, making 62 game appearances and 24 starts in his four-year career.
However, Barclay’s performance has been iffy, at best. He has had to battle through injuries his entire career (he missed the entire 2014 season with a knee injury) and he hasn’t been all that effective.
According to Fox Sports, he started 14 games at right tackle in 2013 and allowed a whopping 9.5 sacks. Things didn’t get any better after his injury in 2014:
Carnage from Don Barclay's start at left tackle: 4 sacks, 4 QB hurries, 3 penalties, per @PFF. #Packers need David Bakhtiari to get healthy.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) December 28, 2015
According to Bleacher Report, Barclay earned a 25.7 PFF grade in 2015, ranking him 76th out of 77 qualifying tackles.
But the Lions are desperate for the immediate future. Barclay would, at least, bring some experience and versatility to an offensive line that is thin at both. Brian Mihalik, who has never started a game in his NFL career and played defensive end in college, is set to be Detroit’s starting left tackle this week. Barclay won’t be the answer for the Lions, but he could be the short-term band-aid they need.
We’ll see if the Lions make a move.