Dan Campbell doesn't want to get into it, not yet. Not with Taylor Decker still a few games away from returning. But as far as Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley is concerned, Decker is Detroit's left tackle, Penei Sewell is Detroit's right tackle and that's the way it will be when Decker gets healthy.
Fraley said Thursday "there's been no discussion" of Decker changing positions to allow Sewell to take over at left tackle, where the rookie excelled in the Lions' season-opening loss to the 49ers.
"Right now, in my mind, Taylor’s our left tackle and Penei’s our right tackle, and when Taylor’s not playing Penei’s the left tackle and Matt Nelson is the right tackle," Fraley said. "So that’s how we’re doing things and (Sewell's) done a nice job."
The Lions drafted Sewell seventh overall to be their right tackle of the future. That still sounds like the long-term plan. But with Decker expected to be sidelined for a month due to a finger injury, the Lions will keep Sewell on the left in the interim. Asked about Sewell's future, Fraley said, "Right now, this week, it's at left tackle."
"He’s done a nice job, he did a nice job all camp. I know outside of the building there’s always a lot of speculation and talk on everything, and that’s where it stays, is outside the building," Fraley said. "In here he’ll just line up wherever you want. If you ask him to play center he’d probably go play center."
On the idea of Decker moving to right tackle upon his return, Fraley said, "That’s not even been brought up."
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The Lions visit the Packers on Monday Night Football in Week 2, where Sewell will have his hands full against the pass-rushing duo of Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith. If his performance last week against Nick Bosa was any indication, the rookie should be fine.