The Lions announced Thursday that they acquired tackle Greg Robinson in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams and signed free agent tackle Cyrus Kouandjio.
Those two additions give the Lions even more options at left tackle while Taylor Decker rehabs a shoulder injury.
"They're both good athletes," head coach Jim Caldwell said. "Good athletes that have ability and they've played a bit in the league. We're happy to have them. Both guys give us an opportunity to get better and that's the key."
Prior to the arrival of Robinson and Kouandjio, offensive lineman Joe Dahl moved over from guard to fill in a left tackle, a position he had familiarity with in college.
"He's coming along," Caldwell said of Dahl. "He's now getting a chance to play multiple positions and Joe's one of those guys that's smart. He knows really, every position on the line. He's played a little center, played a little guard, obviously. He can play a little tackle for us. I think it'll benefit him."
We'll find out in training camp where the Lions plan to use Dahl most.
No matter who ends up playing left tackle this season, quarterback Matthew Stafford feels comfortable with the position's future.
"Obviously, (Decker's) a very talented player," Stafford said. "He had a great year last year for a young kid and was going to build on it throughout this offseason. He's not going to get that chance to work as much throughout the offseason, rehabbing it.
"But the guy's not dead. He's going to be back. He's going to be OK at some point. I look for him to be our left tackle for a long time."
IMPROVING THE RUN GAME
Improving the run game was a priority for the Lions after last season, and they look to be in a position to do so heading into training camp.
Running back Ameer Abdullah feels like he's ahead of schedule in his recovery, and it shows.
"Maybe even a little bit ahead of schedule," Abdullah said Tuesday when asked about his health. "A little further than what I thought I would be, actually. That's good. I'm just going to keep this same pace that I've been on."
Abdullah, and eventually Theo Riddick when he's able to return, make up a strong duo at running back, but don't count out Zach Zenner. Zenner filled in admirably near the end of last season when both Abdullah and Riddick were out.
"I see consistent progress and improvement with (Zenner)," Caldwell said. "I don't think anybody has any question, if you watched him progress last year, that Zach can run the ball. But he's also a guy that's very talented in terms of being able to help us on special teams. He can run the ball. He can pass protect. He can catch the ball out of the backfield."
MINICAMP HIGHLIGHTS
Recap all the action from Lions minicamp:
OTHER NOTEWORTHY ITEMS:
- 2017 Training Camp will open at the Lions headquarters and training facility in Allen Park beginning Monday, July 31.
- Check out the behind-the-scenes photos from Lions Media Day.
- Waiving Jimmy Landes left Don Muhlbach as the only long snapper on the roster and ended any potential competition for the job.
- Rookie wide receiver Kenny Golladay has been impressive this offseason, and his veteran teammates are taking notice.
- Take a look at the top 10 quotes from last week's OTAs.
