As Detroit Lions fans prep for what's hopefully going to be the biggest season in franchise history, there's been some unfortunate news that's developed from Wednesday's practice.
It was reported that right tackle Penei Sewell had to leave practice on Wednesday with an injury to his left foot. Justin Rogers noted on X that "Trainers took off shoe and were checking his ankle and foot before he walked - slowly but without assistance - the locker room for further testing"
Update, 3:10 p,m. ET: Rogers offered further details on what happened to Sewell, while acknowledging when an update may come.
"The team doesn’t have media access the next two days, so it might not be until after Saturday’s game that an update becomes available."
This would obviously be a huge blow to the Lions offensive line in 2024, as Sewell has started every game of his young career and played 1,178 snaps last year. Most of those snaps came at right tackle with only 142 being spent on the left side of the line but Sewell has developed into one of the best right tackles in the league. His overall PFF grade last year was 90.7 and he finished with a 93.1 run-blocking grade.
Penei Sewell left Lions practice with a foot injury
The Lions spent the seventh overall pick on Sewell in the 2021 NFL Draft and it was shocking that he was even still there on the board to begin with. Now that Lions fans have seen what Sewell can do, it's even crazier knowing that six teams had a chance to take Sewell and bolster their offensive line but went in different directions.
Fortunately, it's panned out for Detroit and Sewell has become of the best starting right tackles in the NFL and is being paid as such. He's been an anchor for the Lions' offensive line and remains one of the biggest and most critical factors in the team's turnaround over the last few years.
The roar has been restored, and Sewell is king.
Let's hope this injury isn't serious and that he doesn't miss any time because the Lions are counting on Sewell and the rest of their offensive line to continue to be one of the best units in the league and keep Jared Goff upright.
For now though, we'll wait and see how bad this injury to Sewell's foot is.
Update, 5:21 p.m. ET: According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the injury appears to be to Sewell's left foot.