As promised, Detroit Lions second-year left tackle Taylor Decker will make a midseason return to the practice field.
The Lions have a bonus walk-thru/practice Wednesday in preparation for their Monday night game in Green Bay against the Packers, and Decker will be on the field with his teammates for the first time this season.
The Lions now officially have three weeks from Wednesday to take Decker off the PUP list and return him to game action.
The plan was always for Decker to return sometime midseason from the shoulder injury he suffered in early June, and the subsequent surgery that followed. It will now be up to coaches to determine when Decker will be ready for game action, whether that's Monday night at Lambeau Field, in two weeks vs. Cleveland at Ford Field or later.
His return to the lineup, whenever that will be, will no-doubt be a big boost to a Detroit offensive line that's been inconsistent in protecting Matthew Stafford and opening up holes in the run game.
Decker played every snap at left tackle as a rookie, and was named to the All-Rookie Team by the Pro Football Writers. He allowed just 4.5 sacks in 16 games last season, and was graded as the 13th-best left tackle in football by Pro Football Focus.
The Lions have allowed 25 sacks in seven games this season, the fourth most in the NFL, and are currently 28th running the football (82.1 yards per game).
Getting a left tackle the caliber of Decker back on the field is a big bonus for a Lions team needing to make a nice run these last nine games if they want a return visit to the playoffs.
