Report: Lions' Decker out 4-6 months after shoulder surgery

Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker is facing a recovery timeline of four-to-six months after recently undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports, citing a source.

Even returning on the short side of the projected timeline, which comes with a fairly wide range, would keep Decker out until October. As Rapoport adds, he's a candidate to start the regular season on the physically unable to perform list and thus miss at least six games.

The lengthy absence for Decker, a 2016 first-rounder who made an immediate impact as a rookie, is a major blow to a Lions offensive line that seemed to be much improved this offseason.

Head coach Jim Caldwell indicated upon first revealing Decker's surgery that free-agent addition Ricky Wagner will remain at right tackle rather than swinging over to the left side to fill in.

Corey Robinson, Cornelius Lucas, and Joe Dahl should all be involved in an open competition for the starting spot on the blindside in Decker's absence.