Ex-Panthers tackle Nate Chandler visiting Detroit Lions tonight – Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Lions spent three draft picks on offensive linemen, but they’re not done upgrading the unit yet.
Veteran offensive tackle Nate Chandler is en route to Detroit for a free agent visit with the Lions that begins tonight. National Football Post first reported the visit.
Chandler made 11 starts with the Carolina Panthers, mostly at right tackle, in 2014, and was ticketed for backup duty before missing last season with a knee injury.
He also has played guard and on the defensive line with the Panthers since signing as an undrafted free agent out of UCLA in 2012.
The Lions appear to have their top three offensive tackles in place in first-round pick Taylor Decker and last year’s starters, Riley Reiff and Michael Ola. Decker played left tackle during organized team activities last week, and Reiff, who started the past three seasons at left tackle, played on the right side.
Ola did not practice because of an undisclosed injury.
The Lions have several more backup candidates on their roster in Joe Dahl, a fifth-round pick out of Washington State, Cornelius Lucas and Corey Robinson, but could add Chandler as competition. Dahl also can play guard.
Contact Dave Birkett at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter@davebirkett
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