Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes isn’t sounding the alarm over perceived preseason growing pains rookie offensive tackle Penei Sewell experienced.
Sewell was selected by the Lions with the seventh pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound Sewell played on the left side during his college career at Oregon before being shuffled to right tackle by Detroit.
“I believe that he will be ready for Week 1 and I think he’s ready now,” Holmes said, via the Detroit Free Press. “Yeah, I mean, he’s going through the normal process that a rookie would go through, regardless of where he’s drafted. That’s a tough position to play out there on that island and he’s sat out for a year. So what he’s done, and I know it’s magnified by what may be a hiccup here or there, but there’s so much of the good stuff that maybe kind of hidden when you really kind of deep-dive the film, little subtle nuances that is going to make a big difference.”
Sewell is being looked upon to preserve the health of offseason acquisition Jared Goff when the Lions open the season against the visiting San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 12.
Sewell, 20, was a two-year starter for the Ducks (2018-19) and allowed just one sack in 1,376 snaps over 20 games.
The 2019 Outland Trophy winner opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns.