By Michael Stets
The Detroit Lions placed six players on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) and three players on the active/non-football injury list (NFI) on Tuesday.
Taylor Decker, who suffered an injury to his right shoulder during OTAs and had surgery in June, will start the 2017 season on the PUP list, along with tackle Corey Robinson, safeties Don Carey and Rolan Milligan and defensive ends Armonty Bryant and Jeremiah Valoaga. Bryant will also serve a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on substances of abuse at the start of the season.
When a player begins the season on the PUP list, he misses the first six games and is eligible to return in Week 7, which falls on the Lions’ bye week this season.
With Decker out for at least the first six weeks, as well as back up tackle Robinson, training camp will yield an open competition for who will man the left tackle position when the Lions open the season against the Arizona Cardinals on September 10. Greg Robinson, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Rams in a June trade, Cyrus Kouandjio, one of three Lions placed on the NFI list, and backup Cornelius Lucas will all be vying for that spot. Kouandjio, who signed with the Lions in June, is still recovering from off-season hip surgery.
Punter Sam Martin, who suffered an ankle injury earlier this month, was also placed on the NFI list. According to a release from the team, Martin sustained the injury away from the Lions practice facility and will miss time during the preseason. Kasey Redfern, who signed with the Lions as a free agent in April, will handle punting duties in the absence of Martin.
In addition to Martin and Kouandjio, cornerback Teez Tabor, the team’s 2017 second-round draft pick, was also placed on the NFI.