They had until Wednesday to do it, but the Detroit Lions have activated left tackle Taylor Decker.
Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker has yet to play this season, due to finger surgery just prior to Week 1. He began practicing nearly three weeks ago, with an immediate setback creating the possibility he’d miss the entire season.
Wednesday marked the end of the 21-day window for the Lions to activate Decker, or he’d have to miss the season. On Tuesday, they made the move.
#Lions announce roster moves:
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 2, 2021
Activated T Taylor Decker and DE Kevin Strong from Reserve/Injured
Waived G Tommy Kraemer
When will Taylor Decker play?
Dan Campbell left open the possibility that Decker could be activated and keep rehabbing for a bit longer. But this is encouraging. https://t.co/u2OZDfExeN
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) November 2, 2021
Late last week, head coach Dan Campbell suggested Decker could be put on the 53-man roster before he was fully ready to play. There are worse ways to use a roster spot, but if Decker is not ready to play coming off the bye in Week 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers facing the deadline to activate him was the sole driving force to do it. His return to practice, perhaps too soon on Oct. 13, will then be more regrettable even if Campbell dismissed any regret about starting the activation timetable last Friday.
“It’s tough to say because all parties felt like it was the right time to do it,” Campbell said Friday (Oct. 29), when asked if he regrets starting Decker’s 21-day window to be activated when the team did. “It felt like, hey, he wanted to give it a go and certainly we would love to have him back whenever he’s capable.”
The Lions offensive line certainly needs some help, so the progress Decker has made toward being able to play is great news. If the plan that was put forth remains, he’ll step back in at left tackle whenever he’s ready (again, ideally Week 10 against the Steelers). Rookie Penei Sewell will then move to his originally planned post at right tackle, and overmatched fill-in starter Matt Nelson will go to the bench.