Veteran left tackle Taylor Decker returned to the practice field this week after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury and is 'trending the right way' toward being back in the lineup Monday when the Detroit Lions (4-2) host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1) on Monday Night Football.

"You get Decker back, it only helps us," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Saturday. "Decker is a hell of a player and seen a lot of football and he makes guys around him better. Now you get that group back together, those five, and I think it will elevate us."

Giovanni Manu and Dan Skipper have stepped in and started at left tackle the last two weeks. They did an admirable job, but with them in the lineup, Detroit had to use extra resources in terms of chips and shifting protection that way. Decker's return would open this offense up a little more for offensive coordinator John Morton.

"Gives me a little boost so I don't have to slide over there a lot," Morton said this week of getting Decker back at practice. "It's good when you've got your starters. It's a good feeling that you don't have to go over there to that side and help out as much and get guys out, especially the backs and stuff."

Decker started the first four games of the season giving up just one sack and being called for one false start penalty. He has 10 years of experience on the left side, and the Lions are just a much more efficient offense when they have all five of their starters in the game upfront.

"It always gives a morale boost to everybody," run game coordinator and offensive line coach Hank Fraley said of Decker's potential return Saturday. "He's been a Pro Bowl player and what that brings to the table is great. He's definitely trending in the right direction and it's good when he's out there. It's one less thing you have to worry about."

SHEPPARD AND GOFF MEETINGS

There's a mutual respect between quarterback Jared Goff and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard that's turned into some impromptu meetings between the veteran quarterback and first-year coordinator over the course of the season.

"He gives me nuggets, things that he sees because Dan (Campbell) makes sure we do competitive things still within the season - good-on-good," Sheppard said Friday. "So, he'll come back and be like, 'Shepp you shouldn't (do this).' Or 'If the quarterback sees this, you need to be careful because they'll get to this.'

"Just having a quarterback like that, that much detail, that much care to come up with the defensive coordinator every week. Just to drop, whether that's two minutes or 20 minutes, he's done that with me this whole season and it's been beneficial."

Goff said those weekly meetings with Sheppard are just as beneficial for him.

"It's fun to talk to the other side of the ball. See how they see certain things," Goff said Friday. "There are certain times I will think I'm doing something that's affecting them and it's not and vice versa. Maybe I don't even realize our formation is affecting how they're doing something and it is. Learning those little things like, 'You guys have to check because this guy is here and that guy is there.' (Sheppard) is smart as (expletive). He really is. And it's fun to have a guy I can ask those questions to."

EXTRA POINTS

• Cornerback Terrion Arnold (shoulder) returned to practice this week as a limited participant, but Campbell said he didn't see Arnold playing Monday night. Safety Kerby Joseph (knee) didn't practice all week, and Campbell said a decision on his availability could come later Saturday or maybe Sunday.
• The Lions have been a good tackling defense overall this season ranking fourth in fewest missed tackles (25). Only Atlanta (16), New York Giants (23) and Los Angeles Rams (24) have been better.