Lions 2026 Training Camp Medical Preview: Offensive Tackle
The OT position got younger and healthier
In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Lions addressed their #1 position of need by taking OT Blake Miller in the first round. The pick was necessitated by the injury-plagued year (and subsequent release) of Taylor Decker, which earned the #5 spot on the Top 10 Injury News of the 2025 Season…
Moving forward, Penei Sewell will move to left tackle, allowing Miller to slot in at right tackle. Miller dramatically improves the youth and health of the OT position, but it remains to be seen whether he can replicate Decker’s productivity and longevity.
The overall health of the OT group is very good. Here are their updated medical concern levels.
🟢0-3 Low medical concern
🟡4-6 Moderate medical concern
🔴7-10 High medical concern
(Age at start of season in parentheses.) Click on player name for full medical report if available.
PROJECTED STARTERS
🟢Penei Sewell (25)
Medical concern level: 1/10
His ankle and shoulder were banged up last season but there are no signs of significant concern. He also had a concussion back in 2023.
OUTLOOK: Still young, still healthy, and still elite. Now, at a new position - LT.
🟢Blake Miller (22)
Medical concern level: 1/10
A wrist surgery in 2024 is the extent of his medical history. His durability is proven, having played 54 straight games in college.
OUTLOOK: The Lions wanted to get younger and healthier at offensive tackle after last year’s saga with Taylor Decker. Miller still has to prove himself at the NFL level but he should start at right tackle for years to come. Expect him to be in the starting lineup on opening weekend vs the Saints.
PROJECTED BACKUPS
🟢Larry Borom (27)
Medical concern level: 3/10
Multiple ankle injuries over the past few years could be bad luck or signs of a trend. Offensive linemen are always being exposed to getting rolled up on, putting their ankles at risk. His 2025 season was healthy though.
OUTLOOK: The Lions gave Borom $4.9M guaranteed - signaling that he is valued highly. However, the contract is only worth $5M overall for 1-year - signaling that no NFL team (including the Lions) views him as a long-term starter.
In the disappointing scenario that Miller isn’t ready by opening day, Borom is likely the starter.
🟡Giovanni Manu (25)
Medical concern level: 5/10
Manu started one game last year on October 5, and then suffered a long-term knee injury in practice immediately after. His practice window was opened for the last three weeks of the season, but he never made it back onto the active roster. A 2+ month recovery from an unspecified knee injury is worrisome.
So far this offseason, Manu has been healthy.
OUTLOOK: Time may already be running out on the Manu NFL experiment. It’s possible that he will try to find a future at OG if he can’t cut it at OT.
🟢Devin Cochran (28)
Medical concern level: 1/10
Cochran has been in the NFL since 2022, but has been lightly used. There don’t appear to be any major injuries in his past, but data here is scant.
In 2024, he appeared in nine games and got one start at LT with the Bengals. In 2025, he spent some time on the Lions practice squad.
OUTLOOK: His NFL experience might help him stick on the practice squad as a backup.