Hit by injuries along the offensive line, the Detroit Lions have signed someone off the Texans practice squad.
The Detroit Lions have been without left tackle Taylor Decker through the first four games of the season, as he’s on IR with a finger injury. In Week 4 against the Chicago Bears, center Frank Ragnow suffered a turf toe injury that will sideline him for at least Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Decker through pregame warmups before the game against the Bears, but he never seemed to have much of a chance to play. On Monday, head coach Dan Campbell said it’s “highly unlikely” Decker plays on Sunday against the Vikings.
Dan Campbell says it's "highly unlikely" that Taylor Decker will be back for Week 5. Another chance for Sewell on the left side.
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) October 4, 2021
Rookie first-round pick Penei Sewell has filled in for Decker at left tackle, and he’ll shift to right tackle to fortify that spot whenever Decker is healthy. Replacing Ragnow will be far tougher, if not impossible. But the Lions have added a candidate to the mix.
Lions add a lineman from the Texans practice squad
According to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, the Lions have signed offensive lineman Ryan McCollum from the Houston Texans’ practice squad to their active roster.
Detroit Lions signing former Texas A&M offensive lineman Ryan McCollum from Texans' practice squad today to their active roster, according to a league source. The Texans offensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt left their practice squad to sign with the Browns' active roster, per source
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 5, 2021
Chris Burke of The Athletic passed along the pre-draft assessment from colleague Dane Brugler, citing McCollum’s ability to play guard and center and pointing to him as a bit of a late bloomer.
.@dpbrugler Draft Guide report on McCollum: "His functional experience at both guard and center will be a plus with NFL teams. Overall, (he) has a low margin for error, but put himself on the NFL map with a solid senior year by flashing power and handwork to keep defenders busy." https://t.co/w06EY36JSY
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) October 5, 2021
McCollum was a four-year player at Texas A&M after redshirting in 2016. He played in 43 games, starting 24 contests. He was the center for a strong Aggies’ offensive line, which stood as one of the best in the SEC. He went undrafted in April, signing a deal with the Texans that (according to Wilson) paid him a $25,000 signing bonus and $125,000 in total guarantees after the proceedings were over.
When, presumably not if, McCollum takes the field for the Lions, it will be his first NFL regular season action. Maybe Texans’ practice squad fodder can become a useful piece along the interior of the offensive line for the Lions.