Lions Sign Offensive Lineman Days After Dan Skipper Suffers Injury

The Detroit Lions added depth to their offensive line Saturday. But depending on the severity of Dan Skipper’s lower left leg, Detroit’s addition could just be an injury replacement.

The Lions announced Saturday that they signed offensive lineman Justin Herron. Detroit added Herron two days after Skipper exited the Hall of Fame preseason game with a lower left leg injury.

To make room on the active roster, the Lions waived defensive lineman Raequan Williams on Saturday.

Lions have waived DL Raequan Williams and signed OL Justin Herron. pic.twitter.com/WxnFgzOPNW

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 2, 2025

Herron hasn’t been on an NFL roster in more than a year. But from 2020-23, he played in 35 games for the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders.

Lions Sign Justin Herron, Waive Raequan Williams

While Herron hasn’t had an NFL job since July 2024, a knee injury partially explains why. Herron went on injured reserve during 2024 training camp and spent the entire season on IR.

An injury plagued the offensive lineman in 2022 as well. Herron suffered a torn ACL in early October of that season.

Injuries have hindered Herron, but he will bring experience to Detroit’s offensive line. He has started 11 games in his NFL career.

Herron also has a high moral compass. In 2021, the offensive lineman rescue a woman from an assault attack in an Arizona park.

The Patriots drafted Herron at No. 195 overall in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Of his 11 starts, 10 of them came with New England from 2020-21.

The 29-year-old is replacing Williams on Detroit’s roster. Williams is a former undrafted free agent from 2020. He played in six games for the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2020 season. Williams appeared in one contest, which he started, during 2021.

Since then, he’s spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers and now Lions. Williams’ most recent regular season appearance was 2021.

Lions’ Dan Skipper Could Miss Beginning of 2025 Regular Season

Detroit dropping Williams for Herron is not a great sign for Skipper’s health.

Clearly, the Lions felt the need to add another offensive lineman. They did so by not losing another offensive lineman.

That could be an indication that Skipper’s injury is not short term.

After the Hall of Fame game Thursday, NFL analysts saw Skipper wearing a walking boot on his left leg. The lineman told the media his injury was a low-ankle sprain.

“His early understanding is that it’s a low-ankle sprain, the preferable outcome if you’re going to roll it,” Detroit Football Network reported, via SI on Lions’ John Maakaron. “That pushed Giovanni Manu into action a little sooner than expected Thursday night, and will bump him up the depth chart temporarily. However, Taylor Decker’s initial timeline to return to action was set for early August.”

The injury occurred on a play during the first half where Lions running back Craig Reynolds rolled up on Skipper.

Skipper has spent seven seasons with the Lions. During that time, he’s become a fan favorite in part because of his versatility as a blocker and short-yardage pass catcher in situations where the Lions are using extra offensive linemen.

In 2024, Skipper started five games as an injury replacement. He also started a career-high five contests during the 2022 campaign.

Skipper has spent seven seasons with the Lions over two different stints. He also briefly played for the Houston Texans.