The Detroit Lions are set to host the Chicago Bears this weekend in what will be ex-offensive coordinator Ben Johnson's return to the Motor City. Beating the Bears and sending Johnson home without a win is something Lions fans would love to see, but that'll only be possible if the offensive line has a better performance than it did against the Green Bay Packers last week.
As Detroit's O-line has worked hard to improve throughout the week, Lions fans are wondering if veteran left tackle Taylor Decker will be healthy enough to play. He's been absent from practice this week and is questionable for Sunday as he battles through a shoulder injury. While head coach Dan Campbell "feels good" about the vet's chances of playing, per The Athletic's Colton Pouncy, Decker could still be ruled out if the rest isn't working.
Decker is a mainstay on the Lions' offensive line, and being without him would be a blow, even if it's just for a game. Still, Detroit fans are used to his absences (13 missed games since 2021), and one of his teammates is even ready to step up if Decker is out again.
Lions OT Giovanni Manu Sounds Ready to Fill in for Taylor Decker
Second-year OT Giovanni Manu is currently the LT2 on the Lions' depth chart, meaning he'd likely start if Decker is held out of Week 2. Although the Tonga native only made his NFL debut last week, he sounds more than ready to step up if Campbell & Co. tap his shoulder this weekend.
"Hell yeah. I'm ready," Manu told reporters when asked about potentially being Decker's replacement, according to Pouncy. That's the type of response Lions fans should love hearing from an unproven talent like the 6-foot-7, 350-pound tackle.
It'll be interesting to see if Manu will rise to the occasion after being on the field for just three special teams plays last week. He showed flashes of solid potential during the preseason, when he allowed only eight pressures while taking one penalty on 143 passing downs in four outings. He only finished with a 58.2 Pro Football Focus pass block grade, but it's worth noting that two of his appearances saw him finish with a mark of 66.1 or better.
Even if the jury is still out on his outlook, Week 2 is the perfect opportunity for Manu to prove his detractors wrong. The Bears were tied for the third-best PFF pass rush grade (76.2) in Week 1, and successfully limiting Chicago's disruptors would go a long way to earn respect from the Detroit faithful.
The Lions desperately need a strong performance from their blockers this weekend, and any success could hinge on how Manu handles a potentially expanded role.