CINCINNATI – For the first time this season, the Lions will have a new starter upfront along their offensive line.
Veteran left tackle Taylor Decker, who was downgraded from questionable to doubtful Sunday morning, is inactive and will not play today. Decker has been dealing with a shoulder injury. He's missed most practices the first four weeks of the season to get his shoulder feeling good enough to play in the games. Hopefully a week of rest will go a long way in relieving some of the discomfort Decker's been dealing with.
The Lions have options to start in Decker's place at left tackle, but it will likely be second-year tackle Giovanni Manu making his first career start. Manu was drafted in the third round out of the University of British Columbia in last year's NFL Draft.
Detroit is looking to extend their streak of not allowing a sack to a fourth straight game today.
View photos from the Detroit Lions' trip to Cincinnati for their Week 5 game against the Bengals.
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) and Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) travel to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (95) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyler Lacy (78) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Roy Lopez (51) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) travels to Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
The team already ruled out linebacker Zach Cunningham (hamstring), cornerback Khalil Dorsey (concussion/wrist) and running back Sione Vaki (groin) on Friday's injury report. They'll be joined on today's inactive list by offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun and defensive linemen Chris Smith and Mekhi Wingo.
Lions All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph returned to practice Friday after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday. He was listed as questionable on Friday's practice report but is active today. Joseph leads the Lions with two interceptions this season and can become the sixth player since 2000 with at least 20 interceptions in his first four seasons if he gets one this afternoon.
