Although Dan Skipper entered the game for a disputed two-point play late in the Detroit Lions’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, the NFL sent instructional videos to teams on Tuesday indicating that he was an eligible receiver. However, the swing tackle for the Lions on Wednesday claimed he was simply signalling a change in the team’s offensive line-up.
To a small group of reporters, Skipper said, “So personnel, you signal in.” “This is not how I was (swiping my numbers). That’s not what I was doing. I was gesturing the number twelve with one arm raised and the other by my tummy while extending two fingers. I’m confident that all of you who have competed at this level are aware that you signal in personnel.
Alongside a note to teams explaining the reporting process, the NFL video featured two plays where Skipper entered the game as a sixth lineman during the previous week.
Final views on the Lions’ 2-point plays, Goff’s deal, and other matters. LIONS MAILBAG
During an early first-quarter second-and-three play, Skipper dashed onto the field, holding his right arm in front of his tummy and his left arm above his head. As he approached the huddle and turned his hands to face referee Brad Allen, he reported immediately.
On the second, Skipper raced onto the field in Allen’s direction, making a similar signal for the first of the Lions’ three 2-point attempts after the team had closed the gap to one point with 23 seconds remaining. While Allen seemed to have his eyes fixed on Skipper, left tackle Taylor Decker approached from an opposite way and wiped at his numbers, the universal indication to report as eligible.
Allen went to inform the Cowboys that Skipper was an eligible receiver, and a few yards from the Lions’ huddle, he encountered Decker and right tackle Penei Sewell.
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The play’s eligible receiver, Decker, grabbed the game-winning 2-point pass from Jared Goff, but it was called back due to an improper touching penalty.
“Typically you have to go up to the official and very (directly tell him you are reporting),” added Skipper. “You have a year to view it. You may view Play 4’s first quarter. Granted, I only did that once this week during the game, so the claim that I did it several times is also untrue, but we’ll leave it at that. However, you declare, “Sir, I am reporting as eligible,” as you approach.”
After the game, Allen stated in a pool report that Skipper “who had reported during the game a couple of times, reported to me as eligible.”
“The reporting process isn’t like 5 yard, take a left turn thing,” Skipper remarked. “You can locate that punishment; I’ve received it already. That was a comparable circumstance in which you report but fail to inform the referee, “I am reporting as eligible.” That’s the way things are and always will be. You can view the entire season. That is evident as (expletive). You approach.”
On Wednesday, Lions coach Dan Campbell denied having seen the NFL film and did not comment on its publication.
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Skipper expressed gratitude for the billboards that had appeared all across metro Detroit, stating, “Decker reported.”” He said that several “keyboard warriors” had criticised his performance in the play on social media.
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