What's Next for Detroit Lions Offense After Sending LaAdrian Waddle to IR?

The Detroit Lions have had a personnel carousel at right tackle for the last two seasons. The spinning wheel keeps flying around thanks to more blood, sweat and injury tears.

The latest spin comes as a result of LaAdrian Waddle's recent injury. The second-year tackle suffered a partially torn ACL in Sunday's win over the Minnesota Vikings. 

"

It's official: #Lions tackle LaAdrian Waddle is out for the season with a partially torn ACL. http://t.co/pQhdtDWfzy

— Freep Sports (@freepsports) December 15, 2014"

Thus ends Waddle's injury-riddled season. He was also dinged up in the opening win over the New York Giants, missing the next three games. The Texas Tech product also missed time with a concussion. 

"

Rough year for Waddle. Calf injury, 2 concussions, ankle and now a partially torn ACL. http://t.co/HjNKdUU4Oa.

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) December 15, 2014"

This facilitates the eighth change in starter at the right tackle spot since the beginning of the 2013 season. 

As John Feinstein wrote in his book of the same name a few years back, the NFL is a league of "next man up." For Detroit, the next man up—and the fifth to ride the wheel—is Cornelius Lucas. 

The undrafted rookie from Kansas State has some experience with this role, though the Week 16 game in Chicago will represent his first start on the right side. 

It's not his first start, however; Lucas filled in for an injured Riley Reiff at left tackle in Week 13. That experience could serve both Lucas and the Lions quite well. 

The opponent that day was the Chicago Bears, who happen to be on the docket this week too. Lucas performed nicely on that Thanksgiving Day game.

"

Cornelius Lucas played well last week on the left side. Let's hope it carries over on the other side. #Lions

— Dan Hasty (@DanHasty34) December 14, 2014"

The 6'9" Lucas earned a solid 3.5 grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) for that game. Even more impressive, most of his work that day came against venerable pass-rusher Jared Allen. 

"

Cornelius Lucas had a fine performance. Stymied Allen most of the day. Lucas had some trouble with speed rushes, but impressive overall.

— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) November 28, 2014"

Speed rushes are more of an issue on the left side, as most NFL teams opt to put the faster pass-rushers on the quarterback's blind side. Detroit does this with Ezekiel Ansah and George Johnson, the two fastest ends on the roster. 

In that first Chicago game, Lucas started slowly but acquitted himself nicely once he got his feet wet. When he jumped into the action for the fallen Waddle against Minnesota, he needed no such adjustment time. As Kyle Meinke of MLive.com notes: 

"

He's played at least 15 snaps in nine games this year and looked increasingly comfortable in the lineup. He started against Chicago and was ranked by ProFootballFocus as the team's third-best offensive player of the day, behind only guys named Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson.

He hasn't allowed so much as a QB hurry in any of his past three games, and that includes 13 more snaps against Minnesota after Waddle suffered his injury. And Lucas held up well again, ranking as Detroit's third-best offensive player behind Larry Warford and Joique Bell. At this point, there might not even be much of a dropoff from Waddle to him, if any at all.

"

Here's one play where the rangy rookie shined in pass protection. 

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

 His first step gets him great depth on the edge, and he's perfectly square to his assignment. His knees are bent, his arms coiled and ready to deliver a striking blow.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

A very fluid slide keeps Lucas squared up with his man. While he has chip help from the running back, he doesn't really need it. When the spin move comes, Lucas remains in great balance with his hips, shoulders and feet all in alignment. This is textbook blocking technique from Lucas. 

On Sunday he will square off against a former Lion in Willie Young, arguably the biggest threat Chicago's decimated defense has at this point. His 9.5 sacks lead the team, though Waddle blanked him on Thanksgiving.

Lions fans should feel pretty confident in Lucas. But if he or Reiff goes down in the final games, the options to replace them are not very appealing.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Garrett Reynolds will serve as the top reserve tackle. He started four games this season in place of Waddle, allowing three sacks and committing four penalties, per PFF, in his spot starts. Reynolds spent the prior few years as the Atlanta Falcons' starting right guard, his more natural position. 

No official roster move has been made yet regarding Waddle or a replacement. The Lions do have 2013 seventh-round pick Michael Williams on the practice squad. Drafted as a tight end, Williams has spent the last year transitioning to the tackle position. 

All statistics are from NFL.com unless specified otherwise. 

Jeff Risdon is a Featured Columnist for the Detroit Lions. He is also the founder and editor of Detroit Lions Draft and the Senior NFL/Draft Writer for RealGM, where he has covered the league since 2003.