ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Right guard Larry Warford’s ankle injury could have an unintended benefit for the Detroit Lions the rest of the preseason.

It could mean more playing time -- valuable playing time -- for first-round pick Laken Tomlinson with the first unit.

Tomlinson has been with the second team for most of training camp as Manny Ramirez worked with the first group at left guard. But with Warford ailing, it’s possible Tomlinson could get bumped into either guard spot.

Laken Tomlinson's versatility could prove key for the Lions with Larry Warford ailing. AP Photo/Duane Burleson

“Those guys are all interchangeable in there,” Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. “That’s the great thing about that position. More often than not, the guys play center, they play both guard positions and they need that kind of flexibility, particularly in the way in which it adjusts according to how many guys we dress for a game.

“We usually have an inside rotation guy and an outside rotation guy, so there is some flexibility there.”

Caldwell wouldn’t say what the approach with Tomlinson will be -- to move him to right guard, bump him up to starting left guard while sliding Ramirez over or keeping him with the second unit at either guard spot.

The other guy in the mix for a first-team guard spot would be Taylor Boggs, who has had a strong training camp and has been pushing for a roster spot. Caldwell’s decision about moving Tomlinson or not could come down to how well he is progressing.

“You have to look at it and see the experience of a guy, where he is, if you think it might disrupt his learning, those kinds of things,” Caldwell said. “That all has to be weighed and measured.”

Either way, the Lions have to hope Warford, the team’s top offensive lineman, is eventually ready to play by the season opener against San Diego on Sept. 13. But this could provide valuable experience for Tomlinson in the meantime.

Tomlinson, who played right guard throughout his college career at Duke, said he has been training at both guard spots and center since finishing up his career with the Blue Devils. He started 52 games at right guard at Duke.

If the Lions chose to move him from left guard -- where they anticipate him eventually becoming the starter -- to right guard, he doesn’t think it would thwart his development. Tomlinson said he would play either spot if asked.

“I don’t think so,” Tomlinson said. “Not only did I work the left guard since January, I was working on my craft at right guard. There are still things I need to get better at at that position.

“Left guard, right guard, center, that’s just what I did.”