Will Penei Sewell be healthy for the Detroit Lions’ regular season?

It seems that former Oregon Ducks football players have been unlucky with injuries during the NFL preseason. First, center Jackson Powers-Johnson missed much of the preseason with the Las Vegas Raiders due to a shoulder injury, then came the news that quarterback Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers was dealing with a right foot injury. Both players are expected to play the regular season, but questions remain. Unfortunately, another Duck was injured before the start of the NFL season, but the news on this injury seems optimistic.

Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions offensive tackle and Oregon Outland Trophy winner, is the latest Duck to leave practice due to injury. Sewell left the Lions' practice and went to the locker room after suffering an apparent foot injury. According to Detroit Football Network reporter Justin Rogers, trainers removed Sewell's shoe and sock to examine his ankle and foot before he entered the locker room under his own power.

After his injury, Rogers received a rather cryptic text message from someone he describes as a source in Detroit.

“He is fine,” the source said.

Now ESPN's Eric Woodyard reported on social media that Sewell sprained his ankle. Woodyard also reported that Sewell underwent an MRI after training. Aside from the sprained ankle, Sewell has “no problems.”

To the Lions' advantage, Sewell wasn't even expected to play in their final preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Saturday, as unofficially ranked No. 2 Colby Sorsdal and No. 3 Jamarco Jones are expected to play at right tackle. Sorsdal was selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of William & Mary College, and Jamarco spent a year with the Tennessee Titans in 2022 before signing with the Lions in 2024.

Since being drafted seventh overall by the Lions in 2021, Sewell has made an immediate impact in the trenches of Detroit. In 2023, he became the second Detroit Lions tackle to be named to two consecutive Pro Bowls. He was named a first-team All-Pro selection as he helped the Lions reach the NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49rs, where the Lions lost by a heartbreaking final score of 34-31.

Sewell signed a record-breaking contract worth $112 million this offseason. His contract keeps him with the Lions through 2029. At the time, the deal made Sewell the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL. That title was taken from Sewell by Tampa Bay Buccaneer Tristan Wirfs when he signed a five-year contract worth over $140 million in August.

The Detroit Lions' first regular season game will be on Sunday, September 8th at 5:20 p.m. Pacific Standard Time against the Los Angeles Rams in Detroit.