| Detroit Free Press
Detroit Lions get Christmas gifts; is win over Tom Brady in their stocking?
Free Press sports writers Dave Birkett and Carlos Monarrez hand out gifts for the Detroit Lions, and predict the game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Carlos Monarrez and Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Lions will be without at least one starting offensive lineman for Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and two more are questionable to play.
Right tackle Tyrell Crosby will miss his third straight game with an ankle injury, while the Lions still are trying to determine the availability of Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow and left tackle Taylor Decker.
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Ragnow practiced on a limited basis Thursday for the first time since suffering a fractured throat cartilage in a Dec. 13 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He was scheduled to visit a specialist Thursday, and if all goes well with that check-up could return to the field.
Decker returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday with a groin injury.
Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who started at right tackle in last week’s loss to the Tennessee Titans, also is questionable to play, though he was a full participant in practice Thursday, as he continues to recover from a brain injury.
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If Ragnow cannot play, Joe Dahl likely will make his second straight start at center, while Matt Nelson is next in line at both tackle spots.
Wide receiver Kenny Golladay will miss his eighth straight game Saturday with a strained hip flexor, and five other Lions are questionable: Matthew Stafford (ribs/thumb), Matt Prater (back), Jamie Collins (neck), Jayron Kearse (hip) and Darryl Roberts (hip).
Collins has not practiced all week.
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Briefly
ESPN reported Thursday that the Lions plan to interview Rams director of college scouting Brad Holmes for their vacant general manager job. The Lions already have conducted six interviews for the position, including with Rick Smith, Thomas Dimitroff and Scott Pioli this week. … The Lions waived running back Jonathan Williams on Thursday.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.