For years, Frank Ragnow was the definition of toughness for the Detroit Lions. Even while dealing with a toe injury that couldn’t be fixed, the Pro Bowl center showed up on the injury report week after week, rarely missing games but constantly managing pain.
Now, head coach Dan Campbell says veteran tackle Taylor Decker has taken on that same role, at least for now.
Decker’s New Normal
Decker’s season started with a shoulder injury that popped up in training camp and has lingered through September. As a result, he’s been a fixture on the weekly injury report and has missed at least one practice per week. The important part? He hasn’t missed a game.
Campbell admitted this is something fans and media should expect to see for a while.
“No, we’d rather not, but that’s just the way it is right now,” Campbell said. “We’re just trying to get him to where he feels good, and feels recovered as much as possible for the game, and it’s the right thing to do right now, you know?”
Why It Works for Decker
Campbell pointed out that Decker’s experience gives him a cushion. The 32-year-old has played a ton of football, and his ability to take in walk-through reps during the week makes it possible for the Lions to limit his workload in practice without sacrificing game-day performance.
“You know, Decker’s given us what he’s got, man, and we’re all appreciative for that,” Campbell added. “But, we want him feeling good for the game, and that’s the most important thing right now for him. He’s our most veteran player that we have. And, fortunately, walk-through reps serve him well.”
Looking Ahead
The Lions don’t expect this to be the long-term norm. Campbell suggested the team will keep managing Decker carefully early in the season, but if the shoulder improves, fans could see him return to a more standard practice load later in the year.
For now, though, it’s déjà vu of the Ragnow era, a key piece of the offensive line constantly on the report but still answering the bell on Sundays.
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