While the first day of Detroit Lions training camp began with very limited injuries to report, it ended with a notable name getting added to the active/non-football injury list - left tackle Giovanni Manu.
Manu, the Lions' embattled 2024 4th round draft pick, joins Christian Izien, Christian Mahogany, and Tyler Conklin on this list quite early on. Obviously, it's unclear at this time when Manu suffered this non-football injury, but we'll probably hear more from head coach Dan Campbell about this injury ahead of Thursday's practice session.
It's important to note that, as designations go, Manu must have suffered an injury prior to attending practice today. The team shouldn't be able to place him on the NFI list since he participated in practice, so this suggests he suffered an injury prior to participating on Wednesday.
Manu had potentially found a solid lane through which to stick to the 53-man roster ahead of training camp, with coaches switching him around from tackle to guard throughout minicamp and OTAs. Now, that role might be in jeopardy depending on the severity of what he's dealing with after the first day of practice.
Devin Cochran figures to be Lions' best bet at backup LT
With Manu potentially missing some time, it's likely we start to see Devin Cochran take some second-team reps beginning on Thursday. The journeyman has experience blocking for star running back Jahmyr Gibbs from his days with the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, in a year where Gibbs ran for 1,216 yards before transferring to Alabama.
This position has ballooned in importance for the Lions since releasing an aging Taylor Decker following their 2025 season. Without a good blindside protector, Detroit is dead in the water.
They rely far too heavily on Jared Goff's accuracy to allow for pressure to throw him off his platform. Penei Sewell sliding over to left tackle is a great decision from the Lions, but it leaves you wondering about an insurance policy for the All-Pro lineman.
READ MORE: Lions' race to extend Jahmyr Gibbs may be approaching the finish line
Cochran being their only reliable backup left tackle doesn't feel like the best plan to go forward with at the start of a huge 2026 season. So, what other options do the Lions have, realistically?
Larry Borom, who signed with the team this offseason, has experience on both ends of the line. He could figure as the teams' best swing tackle option headed into this year. Blake Miller can also play both sides of the line, so there could be a break glass in case of emergency plan where Borom takes over at right tackle, and Miller shifts to left, or vice versa.
It's tough any way you frame it, which just hammers home even further the importance of Manu being healthy. If he can't be on the field consistently, that spells trouble for his remaining time with the Lions, and for the Lions' impending decision by August 30 to round out their 53-man roster.
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