Taylor Decker's health could make all the difference vs. Buccaneers
While the Detroit Lions aren't too banged up on offense, especially compared to their injury woes on defense, they are missing a key member of the O-line: Taylor Decker.
The tackle has missed the Lions' last two games, replaced first by Giovanni Manu who then landed on the IR following a so-so performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5. For Week 6, Dan Skipper was elevated to the active roster and did a solid enough job in pass protection against the Kansas City Chiefs.
But, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Lions have to be hoping Decker is good to go against a defensive line that features Vita Vea, Haason Reddick, and Yaya Diaby. Without Decker, the Lions could see some struggles from a less mobile Jared Goff, and from an already-stagnant "run on first down no matter what" offense from John Morton.
Decker's health could make world of a difference vs. Buccaneers
Decker, who could be good to go depending on how this week's practice goes for him, has been dealing with a shoulder injury for the last couple of weeks. He was understandably sidelined out of an abundance of caution for Week 5 and 6, but Week 7 poses a major test for Detroit's ability to both avoid back to back losses and to avoid heading into the bye with a loss.
#Lions Dan Campbell says T Taylor Decker isn’t ruled out this week. Says Decker is feeling better and they’d like
to get him worked into practice tomorrow. TB is a big game to have him back for, but would make sense if they hold him out with the bye week ensuing.— Dannie (@dannierogers___) October 16, 2025
Decker, 31, is part of the two headed monster for the Lions' offensive line that features All-Pro Penei Sewell. The duo was key to the Lions' success against the Chicago Bears, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Cleveland Browns in recent weeks. But, it just feels like the Lions have been dealt such a tough hand with the number of star edge rushers they've had to face the last few weeks.
This week, the Buccaneers feature a ton of threats on the D-line that just start with Vea. Decker's addition back to the line would be key if he's healthy, but if he's not at 100 percent, then it might be a waste of his recovery to throw him back out there. With how well Skipper played in his place, perhaps the Lions are more comfortable giving him an extra two weeks of rest.
Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Day-to-Day With Hamstring Injury
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown took part in “everything but the live portion” of Friday’s practice after exiting the preseason finale with
left hamstring tightness, head coach Joe Mazzulla told The Athletic. Mazzulla described Brown as day-to-day with Opening Night looming next Wednesday vs. the Philadelphia 76ers.
Celtics’ Jaylen Brown day-to-day after hamstring injury, coach Joe Mazzulla says
Brown grabbed at the back of his left leg and left Wednesday’s
110–108 win over the Toronto Raptors in the first quarter. He did not return, and the team initially listed him as doubtful due to hamstring tightness. Local outlets indicated after the game that the injury was not believed to be serious.
What It Means for Boston
The All-NBA wing’s updated status is a
positive indicator that Boston avoided a major setback. Brown’s full participation in non-contact work suggests the hamstring handled controlled movement 48 hours after the scare, but the day-to-day label keeps his opener availability genuinely to be decided pending how he responds to ramp-up and any live work the staff allows before Wednesday.
The four-time All-Star enters 2025-26 off two strong seasons as a developing scorer-creator. Last year he averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and a career-best 4.5 assists in 34.3 minutes across 63 games, while shooting 46.3% from the field and 32.4% from three. He posted 22.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 11 playoff games. In 2023-24, Brown put up 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists over 70 games as Boston won the title, marking back-to-back 23-ish PPG seasons with incremental playmaking growth. He’s a four-time All-Star and a 2022-23 All-NBA selection, the latter helping trigger his supermax extension that summer.
From a profile standpoint, Brown’s value comes from downhill rim pressure, mid-post scoring and transition finishing, with enough catch-and-shoot volume to space next to another star. If he’s limited early, Boston typically redistributes on-ball reps to Derrick White and Payton Pritchard while keeping Brown in second-side actions when active. The day-to-day hamstring tag doesn’t change his usage outlook when he’s cleared; it just puts the emphasis on short-term management of minutes and back-to-backs.
Context matters for the 2025-26 Celtics: Jayson Tatum is rehabbing a torn Achilles suffered in May and is not expected to start the season, though recent updates show him progressing on-court. With Tatum sidelined, Brown projects as Boston’s primary option to start the year, making his short-term health pivotal.
Boston’s summer also brought sweeping roster changes: Jrue Holiday was traded to the Trail Blazers, Kristaps Porzingis moved to the Hawks in a three-team deal, and veterans Al Horford (Warriors) and Luke Kornet (Spurs) departed in free agency. That turnover places added weight on Brown, White, and Pritchard as the offense recalibrates around new pieces.
What’s Next
Boston opens the regular season
Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET against Philadelphia at TD Garden. Game listings currently show Brown as a game-time decision. Expect the Celtics to monitor his response to incremental activity through shootaround; any decision to play could come down to pregame testing. If Brown sits, look for elevated usage across White/Pritchard and added minutes for the wing/forward group to cover Brown’s on-ball and scoring load.
