Detroit Lions offensive line in flux with Greg Robinson waived-injured
By Zac Snyder
Greg Robinson returned to practice this week but being waived-injured by the Detroit Lions suggests some good changes are in the near future.
Greg Robinson’s start with the Detroit Lions was uneven but tenable given the situation the loss of Taylor Decker put the team in. However, Robinson proved to be anything but a competent placeholder while the Lions awaited Decker’s return. An ankle injury forcing Robinson out of the lineup actually led to an unexpected upgrade as Brian Mihalik has stepped in admirably over the last couple weeks.
With Mihalik doing a better job of protecting Matthew Stafford‘s blind side, a hobbled Robinson became a spare part, and ultimately an ex-Lion. The team announced today that Robinson has been waived-injured.
Mihalik holding down the left tackle spot was a positive development for the Lions but even better things appear on the immediate horizon with Robinson’s roster spot opening up. The initial though on fans’ minds will be the return of Taylor Decker, who resumed practicing last week and is reportedly “close” to being ready to return to the active roster. It is possible Decker plays this week against the Browns but the Lions can make that call as late as Saturday before requiring a roster move.
It could actually be Corey Robinson that takes over the spot vacated by Greg Robinson. Corey Robinson, who has been on injured reserve, is in his third week of practice. The Lions will need to make a decision on him whether he is returned to the active roster or will remain on IR for the rest of the season.
The return of Decker would immediately return him to the starting left tackle spot but it may not send Mihalik to the bench if that happens this week. The status of T.J. Lang is up in the air after falling ill this week and entering the concussion protocol. Jim Bob Cooter was coy this week when asked whether or not Mihalik could play guard, only offering a “we’ll see.” Don Barclay is also an option to step in. He was signed by the Lions last week after he was released from injured reserve by the Green Bay Packers.
Next: 10 keys against the winless Browns
Lang’s injury throws uncertainty into an offensive line situation that otherwise looks to be stabilizing. Matthew Stafford was under near-constant pressure but has been sacked just three times over the last two games after being sacked 17 times in the three games before that. The return of Decker will be an obvious upgrade while Graham Glasgow has shown good improvement in his second season to go along with the free agent additions of Lang and right tackle Rick Wagner.