MATT NELSON

This is the fourth of a seven-part series previewing the Detroit Lions’ positional needs heading into free agency. He’s also been a quick learner on the offensive line, making the switch from the defensive side of things in the past couple of years. With that said, don’t expect the Lions to break the bank on the offensive line. He’s started 33 consecutive games for the reigning Super Bowl champions. He’s started at least 15 games every year since 2016.

Aaron Rodgers knows the Green Bay Packers have clinched the NFC’s No. 1 seed and can’t improve their playoff positioning with a win over the lowly Detroit Lions.

Aaron Rodgers knows the Green Bay Packers, who have clinched the NFC's No. 1 seed, can't improve their playoff positioning with a win over the lowly Detroit Lions. The reigning NFL MVP still wants to play Sunday at Ford Field, even though that would increase his chances of getting injured. “There’s risk every time you take the field," Rodgers said.

SEATTLE -- Taylor Decker crashed inside to block the defensive end, just like he’s done so many times this season, and continued to do so well. The Detroit Lions left tackle had reported as an eligible receiver. Safety Ryan Neal didn’t notice until it was too late, and the 324-pound Decker left his feet for the touchdown. “Barely.”It was the second touchdown of Decker’s career, which sets a new franchise record heading into the final week of the season. In fact, the Lions did it twice, with Nelson dropping a pass near the goal line right before Decker’s score.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions announced they’re getting back offensive tackle Matt Nelson and wide receiver Trinity Benson from COVID infections. That’s four more starters lost to infections heading into Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, wreaking havoc on a roster that was already thinned by injury. That’s especially true at tight end, where guys like Josh Hill (retirement), Charlie Taumoepeau (car accident) and Hunter Bryant (non-football injury) never even made it into the season. Then top blocking tight end Darren Fells asked for his release during the winless start, before Pro Bowler T.J. Hockenson was lost to injury. Now the Lions have more issues to deal with in their trenches, as Brockers and Vaitai both land on the COVID list.

The Detroit Lions announced on Thursday they’re moving Benson to the COVID list, the 15th player they’ve lost to a positive infection in the last two weeks. The Lions liked him so much they decided to give up fifth- and seventh-round picks for Benson, rather than risk not getting him on the waiver wire. He’s been a healthy scratch for most of the second half of the season despite Detroit’s depth issues at receiver. The Lions also practiced without top cornerback Amani Oruwariye for a second straight day on Thursday. Oruwariye, who just intercepted his sixth pass, is dealing with a thumb injury.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions (2-11-1) are heading south for the holidays, drawing the Atlanta Falcons (6-8) in Week 16 action on the day after Christmas. Here is what kind of fires us up is Tim)’s been in it now four weeks,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “He’s been practicing and he was kind of fresh right back from the injury, really a week off the injury. Certainly, we’ll have a plan to where he can succeed as the offense will, but I don’t think we’re going to be hindered. See below for results from the previous five matchups:2020 -- Lions 23, Falcons 222017 -- Falcons 30, Lions 262014 -- Lions 22, Falcons 212012 -- Falcons 21, Lions 182011 -- Falcons 23, Lions 16

ALLEN PARK --Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff said he’s feeling fine while experiencing mild cold-like symptoms after testing positive and landing on the COVID reserve list. The Lions placed Goff, offensive tackle Matt Nelson and injured wide receiver Quintez Cephus on the COVID list on Monday. I think I have a chance of testing negative as well as I have a chance of testing positive every day. The Lions activated running back Jamaal Williams and cornerback Mark Gilbert from the COVID list to start the week. “Based on medical advice, we have instituted additional protocols as well as revised testing protocols for reinstating players and staff who have tested positive.

This season has never been easy for Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell.

ALLEN PARK -- Tim Boyle just turned in the worst-rated game by any Lions starting quarterback since 2009. The Lions have upgraded Jared Goff to limited on their estimated practice report on Monday afternoon. The report was estimated because Detroit didn’t actually practice, but the league requires them to file one anyway because of the Thanksgiving game in three days against the Chicago Bears. That’s the worst rating by a Lions starting quarterback since Drew Stanton’s starting debut for an injured Matthew Stafford in 2009. Rookie Justin Fields was listed as out on their estimated practice report, along with important starters like defensive lineman Akiem Hicks and receiver Allen Robinson, while pass rusher Khalil Mack has already been placed on injured reserve.

Reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young suffered a potentially serious right knee injury, putting a damper on Washington’s big win against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions slogged their way to a 16-16 tie in an ugly nearly four-hour marathon that produced more comedy than highlights.

PITTSBURGH -- Not much has gone right as the Detroit Lions return from the off week. Jefferson was one of the few bright spots in the first half on Sunday in Pittsburgh, including ripping the Steelers for a 28-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter. But Jefferson injured his ankle as he dragged two defenders into the end zone and was carted to the locker room a few minutes later. He was back out there on the touchdown run, and delivered the key block that sprung Jefferson to the second level. It might be smart for Goff to consider passing for more than 11 yards in the second half, if he’s capable, which, you know.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions host the San Francisco 49ers to open the regular season on Sunday afternoon. Decker suffered the injury making a punch move in pass protection during a recent practice per Dan Campbell. That’s kind of the balance that we’re playing with.”Don Muhlbach officially retires, joins Detroit Lions as special assistant to front office, Dan CampbellDon Muhlbach’s playing days might be over, but the longtime Lions long snapper isn’t going anywhere. Looking ahead: Will the Detroit Lions see San Francisco 49ers rookie QB Trey Lance in Week 1? We look at the most notable additions and departures for the 49ers, with an opponent preview ahead of the opener.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are placing left tackle Taylor Decker on injured reserve per the NFL Network. It’s also a tough spot with prized rookie Penei Sewell spending camp and the preseason getting acclimated at right tackle, with Decker entrenched on the other side. Campbell said moving Sewell back to the left side remains an option but outlined two others that could make sense for the Lions without Decker. That’s kind of the balance that we’re playing with.”Sewell has taken most of the first-team reps at left tackle in the practices to end the week. Related stories:Detroit Lions officially rule out Taylor Decker; Michael Brockers among 4 questionableLions first-rounder Penei Sewell now taking majority of practice snaps at left tackleDetroit Lions LT Taylor Decker could be out ‘a little bit’ with finger injury, surgery possibleConverted DL Matt Nelson ready to replace Taylor Decker in Detroit Lions opener against 49ers

Matt Nelson’s a good player, he’s played for us, he’s been in it with us the last couple years, Nelson has. So I think he’s ready for the challenge. The Lions added more firepower at offensive tackle this offseason by selecting Penei Sewell with the seventh overall pick in the draft. And the only offensive tackle on the bench is Nelson, a converted defensive lineman with zero career starts. Moving him back to left tackle now could further complicate the development of Detroit’s prized rookie.

Left tackle Taylor Decker was not at practice during the 20 minutes that were available to reporters on Thursday. Decker is dealing with a finger injury and was listed as limited on Wednesday’s practice report. The only backup offensive tackle on the roster is Matt Nelson, a converted defensive lineman who has made zero starts in his NFL career. Our protection plan is going to have to be tight.”Now the big question is, will Taylor Decker be a part of that plan? But he started to really find his way in 2019, signed a monster contract extension in 2020, then turned his best season yet as a pro.

Then he went on to have the greatest season by any punter in Detroit Lions history. The Lions announced on Thursday they’ve tendered Fox, along with fullback Jason Cabinda and offensive tackle Matt Nelson. All three players were exclusive rights free agents. “I just think it’s an honor for our whole punt unit,” Fox said after the season ended. Nelson, a former defensive lineman at the University of Iowa, came off the bench to play 212 offensive snaps last season.

But the Detroit Lions didn’t think Kenny Golladay would need three weeks to return from his hip injury and left him on the 53-man roster. The Lions have ruled out Golladay for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, along with cornerback Jeff Okudah and right tackle Tyrell Crosby. Which also means Matt Nelson, the converted defensive lineman who held his own last week against Khalil Mack, could be headed for his first NFL start against Green Bay. Defensive lineman Austin Bryant (thigh), defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand (groin), quarterback Matthew Stafford (right thumb), defensive tackle John Penisini (shoulder) and special teams ace C.J. Defensive lineman Everson Griffen is a full-go after missing practice for non-injury reasons on Friday.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions likely will be without top receiver Kenny Golladay and top draft pick Jeff Okudah once again after both players missed another practice on Thursday afternoon. Mohamed Sanu started for him last week, and could get the call again on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Now he’s missed the last two games with a shoulder injury, plus the opener with a hamstring injury. He’s now over the shoulder injury, according to the practice report, but continues to sit because of a groin injury that first popped up last week. That thing’s kind of subsided, but as we were doing other things, the groin kind of became more of an issue.

Tyrell Crosby left during the first half with an ankle injury, forcing Matt Nelson in at right tackle. Obviously, Matt Nelson had to come in and block Khalil Mack all day. Nelson contained the blows and even made the tackle on Bears defensive tackle Bilal Nichols’ late interception. Matt Nelson had to step in there and play right tackle. Safety Duron Harmon and cornerback Amani Oruwariye stood as the lone defenders to log all 69 defensive snaps.

Decker has always had the ability to be a top-tier offensive tackle in the league. “We had a big conversation about just being confident,” Fraley said. He’s one of just 11 offensive tackles who have pass blocked more than 200 times without allowing a sack. He currently ranks eighth among all left tackles in the league, according to ProFootballFocus, and ninth among offensive tackles overall. Doesn’t matter the position, but definitely playing offensive line.

ALLEN PARK -- Matt Nelson had other offers to play defensive line after going undrafted out of Iowa last year. "They reached out to me in the predraft process and were like: ‘Hey, we don’t really see you as a defensive lineman. So, Nelson spent the year eating, lifting weights and learning how to play offensive line on Detroit’s practice squad. He said he “definitely” feels bigger and more “like an offensive lineman” after gaining 15 pounds, undergoing a body transformation. He’s certainly not wrong in that way of thinking, with Iowa’s standing as a bonafide offensive line factory still holding firm.

Just like that, Detroit had to turn to the last guy on its bench: Former Iowa defensive lineman Matt Nelson. Nelson was a pretty good defensive end at Iowa, was even named Big Ten honorable mention after his final season in 2018. But the Lions were very interested in him as an offensive lineman. “It’s obviously pretty hard to believe he was playing defensive line a couple years ago," coach Matt Patricia said this week. Not bad for a club that just had to empty its bench onto the field, including a converted defensive lineman.

The Detroit Lions were mixing things around on the offensive line before losing their entire right side to dehydration issues on Sunday. Regardless, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford wasn’t sacked, and the team accounted for 180 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Not too shabby considering they were forced to use all eight active offensive linemen in Jacksonville. “I don’t know if I have ever been in a game where we have played all eight offensive linemen,” Lions coach Matt Patricia said. The Lions played the least amount of man coverage they had all season (39.1%).

The Detroit Lions announced today the following roster moves to establish the team's 53-man roster by the League-mandated 4 p.m. ET deadline:RELEASED:CB Johnathan AlstonDT John AtkinsLB Malik CarneyTE Jerome CunninghamT Andrew DonnalLB Garret DooleyWR Jonathan DuhartDT P.J. JohnsonDT Fredrick JonesWR Tom KennedyC Leo KoloamatangiLB Steven LongaTE Isaac NautaT Matt NelsonQB Luis PerezLB Anthony PittmanWR Brandon PowellQB Tom SavageDT Ray SmithRB Justin StocktonCB Teez TaborRB Mark ThompsonTE Austin TraylorS Charles WashingtonDE Jonathan WynnWAIVED/INJURED:WR Andy JonesCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.