The Lions Officially Ruled Out Left Tackle and Defensive Linemen

The Detroit Lions’ defensive line continues to be ravaged by injuries ahead of their matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

The Lions have officially ruled out left tackle Taylor Decker and defensive linemen DJ Reader, Josh Paschal, and Levi Onwuzurike for Thursday’s game due to injuries.

Head coach Dan Campbell expressed doubts earlier in the week about Decker’s return from a knee injury but left room for optimism that some defensive linemen might play in this pivotal NFC North showdown. However, those hopes did not materialize.

Reader, who recorded two sacks against the Chicago Bears last week, suffered a shoulder injury during that game. Paschal left with a knee injury, and Onwuzurike strained a hamstring. While Campbell indicated none of these injuries appear long-term, the team added Myles Adams and Jonah Williams from the practice squads of the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams, respectively, as a precautionary measure.

Adams, who has three appearances for the Seahawks this season—including a three-tackle performance against Detroit—is known for his pass-rushing ability at defensive tackle. Williams, a defensive end, has 2.5 career sacks.

The Lions enter Thursday’s game without most of their original defensive line rotation from Week 1. Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Kyle Peko, and Mekhi Wingo are all sidelined with season-ending or potentially season-ending injuries. Reader, Paschal, and Onwuzurike join them on the inactive list for this week.

Of the Week 1 starters, only Alim McNeill remains available. Backup nose tackle Chris Smith, currently on the practice squad, is expected to join the gameday roster to back up Brodric Martin. The Lions also have Za’Darius Smith, Pat O’Connor, and Al-Quadin Muhammad as part of their current defensive line group.

Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn acknowledged the challenge of maintaining chemistry amid so many roster changes.

“I think what we’ve done, if you look at the guys we have, like Muhammad—we brought him in, and he was with us in New Orleans. He already understood some of the concepts we run,” Glenn explained. “With the other guys, we focus on spending as much time as possible with them, simplifying the playbook to ensure they know their assignments and can play with the intensity we expect. That’s the key—making sure they play a certain way.”

At offensive tackle, Dan Skipper will make his second consecutive start in place of Decker. Skipper, who has been playing through broken ribs sustained in a win over the Dallas Cowboys earlier this season, aggravated the injury last week but will remain in the lineup.

The Lions (11-1) are riding a 10-game winning streak and can clinch a playoff spot with a victory on Thursday.

The Packers (9-3), meanwhile, have won seven of their last eight games, with their only loss since October coming against the Lions last month.