Lions OL Taylor Decker Out 4-6 Months After Surgery on Shoulder Injury

Detroit Lions offensive lineman Taylor Decker is expected to miss at least four months of action after surgery on his shoulder for a torn labrum.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provided the update Friday. Decker could need up to six months to fully recover from the ailment, a timeline that could force him to open the 2017 NFL season on the physically unable to perform list.

The 23-year-old left tackle suffered the injury last week and underwent surgery Monday.

Lions head coach Jim Caldwell told reporters he didn't think the ailment would cost Decker the entire campaign.

"I don't think so, but like I said, I'm not a physician," Caldwell said. "I would anticipate we'll be able to update you when we get started in fall, see where he is."

He added: "Just kind of the nature of our game. You've got to adjust. That's one of the things that I think our personnel office does a great job of, I think our players do a great job of. We'll adjust and keep moving."

Detroit selected Decker with the 16th overall pick in the 2016 draft. He started all 16 games at left tackle as a rookie and was expected to fill that key spot once again in 2017.

Joe Dahl is in line to receive the first opportunity to fill the void up front. He'll likely compete with Corey Robinson, Cornelius Lucas, Arturo Uzdavinis and Storm Norton during training camp.