Sam Martin, rookie Teez Tabor added to Lions’ injury list

Allen Park – The Detroit Lions have placed six players on the physically unable to perform list and three on the non-football injury list prior to the start of training camp.

Offensive tackles Taylor Decker and Corey Robinson, safeties Don Carey and Rolan Milligan and defensive ends Armonty Bryant and Jeremiah Valoaga will all start on PUP, while punter Sam Martin, offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio and rookie cornerback Teez Tabor have non-football injuries.

The silver lining for the Lions is running back Theo Riddick is not on the list after sitting out OTAs and minicamp while rehabbing from wrist surgery.

Decker suffered a shoulder injury in OTAs and is expected to miss part of the regular season. Carey (arm) and Robinson (foot) missed all of the early portion of the offseason program.

As for the non-football ailments, Kouandjio suffered a hip injury earlier this offseason and required surgery. The injuries with Martin and Tabor are new injuries, as both participated fully in mandatory minicamp last month.

Martin, one of the NFL’s top punters, is also expected to handle kickoff duties for the Lions. The team signed Kasey Redfern in April to serve as Martin’s backup during camp.

Tabor, the team’s second-round pick, is competing for playing time with veterans Nevin Lawson and Johnson Bademosi, while Kouandjio, signed last month, is expected to battle with Cornelius Lucas and Greg Robinson to fill in for Decker at left tackle.

Detroit’s rookies reported to camp on Monday and the veterans will be in town Saturday. The first full-team practice is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.