Detroit Lions: TJ Lang’s status is becoming a problem

Detroit Lions guard T.J Lang has missed a significant amount of time through training camp so far. Is it time to start worrying about his regular season status?

T.J Lang was of one of the Detroit Lions prized free agent acquisitions last year. Along with Rick Wagner, Bob Quinn hoped to solve one of the Lions’ biggest weaknesses. On paper, it looked like the offensive line was going to be a big strength heading into last season. Unfortunately, the Lions got dealt a bad hand with injuries coming left and right.

Taylor Decker went down with a torn labrum in training camp. Wagner and Lang both missed three games with various injuries. Travis Swanson dealt with ongoing concussion issues throughout the season. The only player to play the full season was Graham Glasgow. The Lions went through 10 different line combinations and allowed the most sacks in the league with 47. To say health is key for an offensive line is a slight understatement.

So far through training camp, the Lions offensive line has been able to stay healthy. Outside of a Glasgow scare, they haven’t dealt with any health issues along the line. That was until Lang started missing quite a few practices.

Lang didn’t practice much last year as well. Due to his recovery from offseason hip surgery, he missed the early parts of training camp. He did play well enough to make the Pro Bowl though, but the injuries took a major toll on his body.

The necessary chemistry for the offensive line is crucial for any offense. Everybody on the line needs to know their duty for every play and be able to communicate with one another at a moments notice. With everything starting with the offensive line, the lineman need to be in sync or it could spell bad news for the offense. With Lang’s absence, it is impeding that chemistry and communication.

While Lang continues his stint on the sidelines it has given other players the opportunity to start with the first team. In the first preseason game, it was Joe Dahl who got the call. Then in the second game, it was Kenny Wiggins starting at guard. By the sounds of it, Lang looks to miss the third game as well. The results of Dahl and Wiggins on the first team have not inspired any confidence if Lang were to miss some time.

Coach Patricia is taking this as an opportunity for others to show what they can do.

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“It’s a great opportunity for us to get a look at a couple of different situations and put some guys in some different spots,” Patricia said. “Whenever we have somebody that’s not practicing — it doesn’t matter if it’s the offensive line or the secondary or whatever it is — those are all just opportunities for other guys to have reps and to move some people around. Which, we’re going to have to do in order to play during the season. You’re going to have to have guys that can play in different positions. And again, now is the opportunity to get a look at that.”

Coach Patricia labeled Lang day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. Some people believe it is just veteran rest and that Lang will be ready to go Week 1. When the topic of Lang’s status got brought up, Coach Patricia said  “We’re two and a half weeks away from Week 1, we’re focused on today.”

In a Tuesday interview, Lang tried to put everyone’s minds at ease.

“All I can really say is that it’s nothing serious going on,” Lang said. “Just kind of being cautious right now with the training staff, trainers, doctors. My plan this year, right now, is take it day-by-day, be healthy and do my best to be out there for Week 1.”

Lang needs to return to the field to regain the continuity for the offensive line before the start of the season. If he is dealing with an injury, it’ll be smart to bring him back slowly especially after his slew of injuries last year. He the best option the Lions have at right guard and it’ll be a major blow to the offense if he misses any time.

I am not sure if its time to panic just yet about Lang. If this continues closer to the start of the season though, we might have to prepare ourselves that he might not be out there for Week 1.

In a Tuesday interview, Lang tried to put everyone’s minds at ease.

In a Tuesday interview, Lang tried to put everyone’s minds at ease.