PITTSBURGH — Taylor Decker is back.
Decker, who injured his left index finger four days before the Detroit Lions’ season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers, is active for the first time this season and expected to start at left tackle Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Decker’s return was expected after he was a full participant in practice all week, but nonetheless is good news for a Lions team seeking its first win of the season after an 0-8 start.
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Rookie Penei Sewell will move from left to right tackle, and Matt Nelson will play a swing tackle role off the bench.
Sewell, the No. 7 pick of the draft, played right tackle throughout training camp but has not appeared in a regular season game at the position since high school. He will draw the primary blocking assignment on top Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said this week Sewell would be ready for the matchup and his new position.
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Campbell said he has no hesitation about moving Sewell back to the right side and losing the gains he’s made since summer.
“It’s different playing tackle, but I know plenty of people that played left hand and right-handed stance,” Campbell said. “I mean, tight ends do it for years. Now, they’re not tackles, I get it, but at the same token, you get comfortable with it when you do it. And I think he’ll go over there and won’t miss a beat, me personally. It’ll be a little odd, but I also know he’s got enough reps over there – and look he’s a damn good athlete, and he’s a professional man. He wants to win. He wants to win his reps, so I think he’ll go over there and do just fine.”
New receiver Josh Reynolds is inactive, four days after the Lions claimed him off waivers from the Tennessee Titans.
Running back Jamaal Williams (thigh), defensive tackle Kevin Strong and linebackers Austin Bryant and Jessie Lemonier also are inactive for the Lions.
Mason Rudolph is expected to start at quarterback for the Steelers (5-3) with Ben Roethlisberger in COVID-19 protocols.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.