Lions' Taylor Decker's Eligibility Controversy: What Happened?

Background

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker became the subject of controversy during the Lions' Week 3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Decker, who is not typically an eligible receiver, reported in as eligible before a two-point conversion attempt. However, he was flagged for not following the correct procedure for reporting in.

The Incident

The incident occurred late in the fourth quarter with the Lions trailing the Cowboys 24-20. On the two-point conversion attempt, Decker lined up on the left side of the formation and reported in as eligible to referee Brad Allen. However, Allen apparently did not hear or acknowledge Decker's report, and Decker was subsequently flagged for ineligible receiver downfield.

The Lions' Explanation

After the game, the Lions claimed that Decker had indeed reported in as eligible to Allen. Head coach Dan Campbell said, "He (Decker) said he did. I trust my guy." Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson added, "We had Decker report in. We felt like we did it the right way."

Decker's Response

Decker himself spoke to the media after the game and said that he believed he had followed the correct procedure. "I reported in," Decker said. "I looked at him (Allen), and he didn't flinch. I thought I did everything I was supposed to do."

The Rule

According to the NFL rulebook, a player who is not typically a receiver must report in as eligible to the referee before he can participate in a play. The player must make eye contact with the referee and verbally state his eligibility. If the referee does not acknowledge the player, the player is considered ineligible.

Conclusion

The Taylor Decker eligibility controversy remains unresolved. The Lions maintain that Decker reported in as eligible, while the referee claims he did not. The incident highlights the importance of clear communication between players and officials, especially in critical game situations.