:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57336101/647582662.0.jpg)
On Thursday, the Detroit Lions continued their carousel at offensive line. The team announced that they have signed offensive tackle Dan Skipper from their practice squad while released tackle Bryce Harris to make room.
Skipper is an undrafted rookie out of Arkansas who started every game at offensive tackle from 2014 to 2016 as a Razorback (two years at left tackle, one at right tackle). In his final year at Arkansas, he earned All-SEC first-team honors as a left tackle.
He started out 2017 on the Cowboys’ practice squad but was released a few weeks into the season. The Lions unceremoniously added him to their squad on September 25th, where he has stayed for the past month.
At 6-foot-10, 315 pounds, Skipper is a huge presence along the offensive line. He’s unlikely to play this week, but the Lions could use the help. With Greg Robinson and Emmett Cleary still nursing ankle injuries, the Lions are down to just Brian Mihalik and now Skipper as potential starters at left tackle--unless they decide to shift Rick Wagner to the left side.
On Thursday, head coach Jim Caldwell made it sound like Mihalik would be their guy on Sunday:
Jim Caldwell on Brian Mihalik, also sounding like that'll be the Lions' LT this week: "He’ll be able to handle his job, that’s for sure."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) October 26, 2017
Harris was released just eight days after being signed by the Lions. Detroit must not have liked what they saw out of Harris, as he never got an opportunity to play for the team during their bye week.
In addition to adding Skipper to the active 53-man roster, the Lions re-signed Storm Norton to their practice squad, filling the void left by Skipper’s promotion.