In the middle of Detroit Lions training camp last year, there was growing concern among observers that the team’s offensive line depth was perilously thin. Whenever the first-team offensive line would leave the field, Detroit’s offense would get thoroughly dominated by the defensive line. Didn’t matter if it was one-on-ones or seven-on-sevens, the Lions offensive line depth was clearly a problem.
And as Lions luck would have it, during the 2021 season, two of Detroit’s best starting offensive linemen—at arguably the two most important positions—got injured.
Yet the offensive line, without left tackle Taylor Decker and center Frank Ragnow, manage to hold its own for the entire season.