Detroit Lions injury updates: Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow unlikely to play vs. Vikings

The Detroit Lions look like they’re going to be shorthanded on the offensive line yet again this week.

During his Monday morning press conference, head coach Dan Campbell gave indication that the Lions’ two best offensive linemen—left tackle Taylor Decker and center Frank Ragnow—are unlikely to play.

Decker remains on injured reserve after suffering a finger injury in practice before Week 1 that required surgery. Decker has shown up at practice and even gone through some pre-game stretching with the team, but Campbell indicated that he appears to be at least a week away.

“I think it’s highly unlikely (he plays vs. Vikings),” Campbell said.

Ragnow, on the other hand, suffered a toe injury early in Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears. Campbell provided some additional details on Ragnow’s injury on Monday.

“He’s got basically a version of turf toe right now,” Campbell said. “We’ll know a lot more this afternoon with him. I would say he’s probably going to be out, though.”

That leaves the Lions with a patchwork offensive line. Rookie Penei Sewell has shifted from right tackle to left tackle, and while that transition appeared quite natural for Sewell at first, he’s struggled in back-to-back games. Per PFF, he’s allowed nine pressures and two sacks in the last two weeks.

At center, Evan Brown will have to step up in place of the injured Ragnow. Brown has never started an NFL game before, but he held his own as a replacement for Ragnow in the final three quarters of Sunday’s game.

In addition to those two, Campbell provided quick injury updates on two other players.

• Campbell confirmed that outside linebacker Romeo Okwara suffered an Achilles injury and is out for the year.

“I hate that for ‘Romes’ man. The way he works and everything that he’s put in to this, he’s a top-notch pro, and I hate it for him. I hate it for our team, but I know he’ll come back better than ever next year.”

• Campbell also noted that Trey Flowers has an opportunity to play this week after missing two weeks with a shoulder and knee injury.

“There’s a chance we get Trey back this week, so that helps.”