Lions trade for former first-round offensive tackle Greg Robinson, sign Cyrus Kouandjio

It’s been two weeks since Detroit Lions starting left tackle Taylor Decker torn his right labrum in his shoulder. The prognosis on Decker is that he’ll be out 4-6 months, which would mean the Lions would have to be without his services for at least the first four games of the 2017 season.

Since the injury, the Lions have moved Joe Dahl back to tackle and added veteran Tony Hills to their roster. But on Thursday morning they made a much more interesting move:

As Schefter mentions, Greg Robinson was the second overall pick in the 2014 draft. Since being selected by the Los Angeles Rams, Robinson has started 42 out of a total 48 games. The Rams were not all that happy with Robinson’s play throughout his first two years and were planning on moving him to guard earlier in 2017. However, plans appeared to have changed, and Robinson was then expected to play at right tackle this season.

In addition to adding Robinson, the Lions also signed Cyrus Kouandjio, who met with the team last week. Kouandjio, a former second-round pick, is recovering from hip surgery and may not be ready until training camp. However, he could very well compete for the left tackle position, after starting five games at the position and grading out fairly well with the Bills in 2017.

It’s clear from both of these moves that Detroit is not completely happy with the options they have at left tackle in the immediate aftermath of Decker’s injury. Though these two new additions probably won’t get many reps in Detroit’s final minicamp practice on Thursday, an intense left tackle camp battle is developing for training camp in late July.

To make room for both players, the Lions announced they have waived long snapper Jimmy Landes and offensive tackle Arturo Uzdavinis.