In a joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday, the Detroit Lions suffered yet another injury to the offensive line. This time, it is one of their big free agent signees banged up.
Starting right tackle Ricky Wagner is the latest victim.
Lions RT Ricky Wagner was injured during joint practice with Colts. After practice, Jim Caldwell only said "he will be alright"
— Michael Stets (@Michael_Stets) August 10, 2017
The severity of the injury is unknown at this time, but head coach Jim Caldwell believes it will be nothing than minor.
“He’s just out for a little bit, but he should be OK,” coach Jim Caldwell offered reassuringly after practice. “He was out there at the start, but just had a little issue. He’ll be all right.”
It’s obviously a “wait and see” period regarding Wagner, but depending on how long he could be out, that will be a big blow to a Lions’ offensive line that will be minus left tackle Taylor Decker. The 2016 first-round pick out of Ohio State could miss the entire 2017 season as he recovers from off-season shoulder surgery.
The latest setback to the offensive line means added roles and playing time for a number of guys. Newly acquisitions Cyrus Kouandjio and Greg Robinson already figured to get plenty of looks with Decker being sidelined.
Perhaps the biggest beneficiary to the injuries of both Decker and now Wagner is an undrafted free agent signing for the Lions, Storm Norton out of Toledo. He was inserted into Wagner’s spot after the veteran left with his injury on Thursday in the joint practice with the Colts. The former Rocket has been dubbed as one potential UDFA signing for Detroit that could make a big impact in 2017.
“We’ll adjust,” Caldwell said. “That’s just part of this game. You’re going to have some injuries, some ups and downs. Just gives somebody else an opportunity to step up, get some reps, get a little bit better. That’s how we look at it.”
