In Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow and Penei Sewell, the Lions thought they had the makings of an elite offensive line. They still might.
But it looks like all three will be sidelined Sunday against the Vikings.
The veteran left tackle has yet to play this season due to a finger injury. The Pro Bowl center was placed on injured reserve Wednesday with a toe injury. And the rookie right tackle who's been playing on the left side in Decker's stead missed practice Wednesday with an ankle injury and sounds doubtful to suit up in Minnesota.
Asked Thursday about Sewell's availability, offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said, "Right now, we're planning on going without him. But if he's ready, that'd be great."
Lynn then backtracked when asked about the Lions' plans to replace Sewell and said, "Our idea is for Penei to go out there and play."
But you just said otherwise?
"I did not say I didn't expect him to play. I don't think I said that," said Lynn. "But I mean, we'll see."
Make of that what you will. We'll get a better idea of Sewell's status based on his participation in practice Thursday. But it doesn't look good.
Either way, the Lions are in trouble against a Vikings defense that ranks fourth in the NFL in sacks and has notoriously pummeled Detroit's quarterbacks under Mike Zimmer. In their last four trips to Minnesota, the Lions have surrendered 23 sacks. That's ... a lot of sacks.
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If Sewell can't go, the Lions would potentially move guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai to tackle opposite Matt Nelson, insert backup guard Logan Stenberg opposite Jonah Jackson, and stick with backup Evan Brown in the middle. Not quite the unit they thought it would be.
"I think you have to call games according to your personnel and what you're dealing with," Lynn said. "Each week, that can change. So absolutely, we can call it differently, without a doubt."