Taylor Decker should make his season debut Sunday against the No. 1 pick from this year's draft.

The Lions activated Decker off the physically unable to perform list Saturday and are expected to start him at left tackle for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.

Decker tore the labrum in his right shoulder in June, and spent the last two weeks practicing in anticipation of his return.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell said this week that Decker would assume his starting job once he's healthy. Last year, Decker played every snap at left tackle as a rookie.

"When Deck’s ready, Deck’s going to play," Caldwell said. "There’s a reason why he’s here, a reason why we picked him where we picked him. He’ll play when he’s ready."

The Browns (0-8) are one of two winless teams in the league, but they feature No. 1 pick Myles Garrett at right defensive end.

Garrett has four sacks in just three games this year, and was considered one of the best pass-rushing prospects in recent years coming out of Texas A&M.

"He’s one of our best football players, and he bring a lot to our defense," Browns coach Hue Jackson said in a conference call with Detroit reporters this week. "Our defense has done a good job of holding down the fort when he’s not there, but obviously he makes us a better football team defensively when he’s out there playing."

The Lions (4-4) struggled with protection issues in the season's first six games, but have played better as an unit since returning from the bye.

Greg Robinson, who started the first six games of the season at left tackle, was waived-injured on Friday with an ankle injury. Brian Mihalik, who started the last two weeks, is expected to resume a backup role.

The Lions also activated Corey Robinson off injured reserve on Saturday, and waived wide receiver Jace Billingsley.

"It's not one of those things where any one guy is going to determine the outcome of a ballgame," Caldwell said. "What you’ve seen from us week in and week out, we’ve had a lot of guys up and down, but it’s a team game. But (Decker is) obviously an important part of that. There’s no question he can help us, in a number of ways.”

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The Browns are tied for 23rd in the league with just 16 sacks, but have one of the best run defenses in the NFL.

The Lions, who snapped a three-game losing streak with a win Monday night against the Green Bay Packers, have given up 26 sacks on the season, tied for sixth most in the league, and are 29th in rushing.

"They have (four) games where they lost by three points. They could easily be a three- or four-win team right now," running back Ameer Abdullah said. "We’re a four-win team right now, so it’s never that far off as far as margins in this league. You can fall into the narrative of what you see in terms of records or whatever. You’ve got to watch the film. Obviously statistics can also be misleading so watching the film is important."

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!