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Detroit Lions: What’s the biggest training camp question?

By Steven Mullenax

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Dwayne Washington #36 of the Detroit Lions celebrates with teammates after rushing for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Dwayne Washington #36 of the Detroit Lions celebrates with teammates after rushing for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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With training camp quickly approaching, what is the biggest question for the Detroit Lions that will need to be answered in the coming weeks?

With training camp kicking off for the Detroit Lions this weekend, the team has several questions that will need to be answered in the coming weeks.

Some of those questions include:

"“Can the Lions’ running backs stay healthy?”“Can their rookie class make a big impact this season?”“Can their defense get their pass rush back?”"

These are all questions that will ultimately get answered in the regular season. But training camp and the preseason could give us insight on how those issues might be resolved.

But the biggest question going into training camp this weekend is undoubtedly who will replace an injured Taylor Decker at left tackle/ And can they be effective?

"“Decker will begin training camp on the PUP list with the hope he is back sooner rather than later,” wrote Tim Twentyman on the team’s official website. “But, if Decker has to miss time in the regular season, a replacement will have to emerge during camp. Greg Robinson, a former No. 2 overall pick, who the Lions traded for back in June, seems like a logical candidate, especially because Cyrus Kouandjio (NFI) and Corey Robinson (PUP) will start camp on the sidelines.”"

Twentyman also mentioned Cornelius Lucas, Tony Hills and Storm Norton as also being in the competition to replace Decker at left tackle.

This offseason, the Lions were supposed to take a giant-leap forward in offensive line play as they invested a lot of money in signing free agent guard T.J. Lang and tackle Ricky Wagner. Both are expected to solidify the right side of Detroit’s offensive line this season. With Decker at left tackle and Travis Swanson at center, the Lions’ biggest concern was supposed to be at left guard.

But Decker suffered a shoulder injury this offseason, and it’s unclear when he’ll be able to return. In June, it was reported that torn labrum surgery has an expected timetable of recovery at four-to-six months. That would put a possible return for Decker somewhere between October and December.

The favorite to replace Decker along the O-line is Greg Robinson. That’s mainly due to his hefty $3.3 million price tag. But Robinson is arguably the worst left tackle in the NFL and has been for the past couple years. In fact, the second overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft was traded away by the L.A. Rams for a measly sixth round selection last month. That should tell you everything you need to know about his play.

Next: What if Matthew Stafford magically disappears?

Lucas, Hills and Norton will certainly have their opportunity to prove themselves as better options than Robinson starting next week. But really, the Detroit Lions just need someone that can hold their own until Taylor Decker returns. Hopefully that much sooner than projected.

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