ALLEN PARK — Taylor Decker and T.J. Lang were among a slew of Detroit Lions players who were limited by injuries on Wednesday as preparations began for Minnesota.
Decker was listed with a back injury while Lang is battling another hip issue. Defensive end Ziggy Ansah (shoulder), running back Theo Riddick (knee) and linebackers Christian Jones (knee) and Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck/toe) also showed up on the injury report.
Decker suffered his injury late in Sunday’s loss against Seattle. He missed the final eight offensive snaps of the game, and was replaced by rookie Tyrell Crosby.
“I thought (Crosby) did a nice job being ready to play,” offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said. “He hasn’t gotten a lot of action this year. He got called in and did just fine. We were in pass-the-ball mode, the ball was getting thrown every snap or just about every snap. For an offensive lineman to go out there and do his job and not really show up in a negative manner, that’s a good thing for a young guy.
“He was ready to go. He had a good look in his eye when he ran out there and he’s been improving ever since we’ve gotten him. Look for him to continue doing that.”
Lang, meantime, has been slowed for years by hip issues. He finally underwent surgery for it last offseason, so there is some concern that he’s experiencing more pain now. He’s already missed games this year with back and brain injuries, and games last year with back, brain and foot injuries.
Ansah has missed six straight games with a shoulder injury, and Riddick has missed two with a knee injury.
