Green Bay, Wisc. — Jamarco Jones popped up on Thursday’s injury report as limited with an ankle injury. He was sidelined the following day and ruled out for the team's Week 1 game later that afternoon. Then, on Saturday, the Detroit Lions placed the veteran offensive tackle on injured reserve.
Not recognizing the severity of Jones’ injury, no one thought to ask coach Dan Campbell about it ahead of Friday’s practice. The extent of the damage remains unknown, but we now know he’ll miss at least the next four games, implying, at the very least, Jones is dealing with a dreaded high ankle sprain.
The Lions used the roster opening created by placing Jones on IR to promote running back Jacob Saylors off the practice squad. That’s because the only viable replacement for Jones on that unit, Dan Skipper, is also dealing with an injury. The unknown ailment sidelined him all week.
For what it’s worth, the team is not required to include practice squad injuries on the daily report, and they typically don’t cross the threshold of newsworthy to merit a question to Campbell. Obviously, had the week played out with different timing, this situation would have been addressed.
That’s because Jones and Skipper’s injuries leave the Lions short-handed at offensive tackle going into the opener. It also means Giovanni Manu is essentially a lock to be active for the first time in his career, after he was a healthy scratch the entirety of his rookie campaign.
What we don’t know for certain is whether Manu would be the first man off the bench if one of the starters, Taylor Decker or Penei Sewell, had to exit with an injury. While it would seem to be the logical choice, as the only other tackle on the active roster, offensive line coach Hank Fraley noted earlier in the week that Kayode Awosika is an emergency option at the position.
We simply don’t know whether the Lions would feel compelled to break the glass and turn to Awosika over the raw, still-developing Manu. What we do know is that no one is interested in finding out.
As for Saylors, it’s a nice reward for one of the pleasant surprises of the preseason. The UFL’s leading rusher this spring, the mid-camp addition paced the Lions with 112 rushing yards and added another 52 with seven catches.
Saylors gives the Lions some depth at running back with Sione Vaki out. Saylors is an option to return kicks, as well. He handled kickoffs in college, and the Lions tested him there during the preseason.
The fact that the Lions didn’t place Vaki on injured reserve on Saturday is encouraging. The second-year back and key special teams contributor is mired in a nagging battle with a hamstring strain, which has flared up multiple times this offseason.
It’s possible, even likely, that the Lions promote Skipper off the practice squad once he’s medically cleared from whatever he's dealing with. With Vaki expected back within the next few weeks, the team could waive Saylors and put him back on the practice squad, assuming he clears waivers.
The only other move the Lions made Saturday was temporarily elevating linebacker Anthony Pittman from the practice squad. He’s depth at linebacker and special teams, with Trevor Nowaske ruled out due to an elbow injury.
Makes sense when you put it that way.
What a mess at OT, depth was a mess all camp and it's getting worse now. Bet they wished they had cut Jones when he was healthy for a minute, would have saved a few salary cap bucks. I know, who you going to replace him with.
This lack of OT depth in the league is out of hand, even if Manu catches fire the Lions should still be looking for a good OT next off season like a high draft pick or a good Free Agent. In the meanwhile, it's hold our breath and hope Skip gets healthy soon. And then hope we don't have to use him.
Not getting more veteran OT competition in camp might bite them you know where.
I'm with you on Skipper to the active roster after game 1. Seems likely given post week 1 vet signing for nonguarantee contract.