Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell offered a positive injury update on two key offensive players.

Left tackle Taylor Decker was ruled out for the game against the Houston Texans just over 48 hours before kickoff due to a shoulder injury. Meanwhile, tight end Sam LaPorta was unable to finish the game after also suffering a shoulder injury.

Campbell provided a day-to-day update on LaPorta’s condition, saying, “We don’t think this is a long-term issue. It’s not something that’s going to nag him. We’re hopeful he’ll be ready to play this week, but I can’t say for sure if he’ll be cleared to face Jacksonville. He’s questionable right now.”

As for Decker, Campbell noted that the veteran lineman’s status is also in flux. “Decker’s questionable but trending in the right direction,” he said.

After Decker was ruled out, many fans and analysts wondered how the Lions would adjust the offensive line, especially with star tackle Penei Sewell’s role.

In past games, the team had moved Sewell to the right side of the line when necessary.

However, against Houston, the decision was made to keep Sewell at right tackle and have Dan Skipper start at left tackle.

Campbell explained the reasoning for this decision during his Monday press conference.

“The hay was kind of already in the barn,” he said, referring to the fact that Decker’s injury happened late in the week, leaving the team little time to make a switch.

“Sewell had been working at right tackle all week, taking his reps, so it made sense to keep him there. Skipper had already been practicing at left tackle, so we kept him there.”

He went on to explain that changing both players’ positions would have been too disruptive.

“We felt it was better to keep Sewell where he’d been working and let Skipper fill in on the left,” Campbell said. “A lot of plays ended up going Sewell’s way, and the rest was up to him.”

In the end, the Lions’ decision worked, allowing the team to maintain stability along the offensive line despite the injuries.