Dan

Skipper

Unsurprisingly, Hopmeyer notes that Skipper will coach the offensive linemen in some capacity, though his official title hasn’t been announced. Detroit’s long-time sixth offensive lineman hung up the cleats after the 2025 season at the age of 31. It didn’t take him long to return to football, as Skipper volunteered to coach at the East-West Shrine Bowl right after the season. Now he will stay in Detroit as a staff member.

Skipper spent time on the Cowboys, Broncos, Patriots, Raiders and Colts’ practice squads after entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He was signed to the Texans’ active roster in 2019 before signing on with the Lions later that year. Although he bounced between the Lions’ active roster and other practice squads after that, the six-plus seasons spent on the Lions’ active roster ultimately define his career. He caught a nine-yard touchdown pass against the Bills in Week 15, 2024. He is reportedly volunteering as an offensive line coach at this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl.

Both Decker and Lions RT Penei Sewell rehabbed shoulder injuries this week, but the bookend blockers are good to go. Backup OT Dan Skipper (back) is also active. Unfortunately, the Lions will be without stud S Kerby Joseph, who is sidelined by a knee injury. The Lions also declared DL Pat O’Connor, RB Jacob Saylors, S Erick Hallett, DL Quinton Jefferson and DL Mekhi Wingo inactive for Week 10 against the Commanders.

Earlier today, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said things were “looking good” for Sewell and LT Taylor Decker (shoulder) to play on Sunday. Backup OT Dan Skipper (back) is questionable to play and S Kerby Joseph (knee) has been ruled out. Hopefully, at least one of Decker and/or Skipper is good to go this weekend.

This is a bit of a surprise. Skipper is a fan-favorite, and one who was in the lineup often as a 6-foot-9, 334-pound swing tackle. It won’t be a surprise at all if the 30-year-old finds a new home before the start of the regular season.

The team’s “sixth man” along the offensive line quickly developed into a fan favorite after continually reporting as eligible, routinely being found in a route near the end zone from jumbo formations. Skipper has experience at both guard and tackle and also gives the Lions a viable backup along the offensive line should injuries arise in 2025.

Skipper spent the 2023 season with the Lions, previously spending two different stints with the team earlier in his career as well. He started last season on the practice squad and was promoted to the active roster later in the season. Skipper is perhaps best known for a controversial illegal touching call in Week 17, where he reported in as eligible, but a successful two-point conversion and potential win was called back. Skipper will return to the Lions for 2024 as offensive line depth.

Skipper was on the roster bubble as a fourth tackle before the injury. It’s not clear how serious the injury is yet, although it’s never a good sign when a player gets carted off. If he’s okay and makes the roster, he’d be a depth piece up front for Detroit.