Vaitai is a key player for the Lions offensive line and his back injury is a blow to Jared Goff’s protection. Backup Graham Glasgow will take over in the starting lineup. Vaitai’s season is in jeopardy as the Lions seek to make a playoff run.

Vaitai took a pay cut to remain in Detroit, with his base salary going from $9.4 million to $3 million. He'll count $1.2 million against the 2023 cap. The Lions turned Vaitai's $9.4 million salary in 2024 into a void year as part of the deal. Vaitai hasn't played since 2021 due to injuries and likely would have been cut had he not reworked the contract. The restructure clears a total of $7 million for Detroit.

Vaitai had back surgery in early September after being placed on injured reserve. Evan Brown has taken over at right guard in his stead. 

This clears $2.42 million in 2022 cap space for the Lions. Vaitai underwent back surgery in September after being placed on season-ending IR. The restructure adds more guarantees to Vaitai's 2023 salary.