Reiff is drawing praise from head coach Jim Caldwell, Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News reports.

As has been the storyline this offseason, Reiff is taking on more of a leadership role in his fourth year in the league. He has been giving tips to younger players and making sure he establishes a rapport with Manny Ramirez and Laken Tomlinson, the team's two potential left guards. With offensive lines dependent on cohesiveness, a "glue guy" like Reiff can help ensure that the Lions' dynamic skill players get the opportunity to make plays.

Reiff is being expected to take on more of a leadership role in 2015, Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News reports.

Gone are veteran offensive linemen Dominic Raiola and Robert Sims, leaving a lot of youth on the Lions' line. Offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn has said that the soft-spoken left tackle has stepped in and led by example, speaking up when needed. Interior lineman Manny Ramirez, 32, was brought in via a draft-day trade and has thus far held off 2015 first-round pick Laken Tomlinson for the starting left guard slot. If Ramirez keeps the job, he can take some of the pressure off of Reiff from a leadership standpoint. If Tomlinson wins out, however, the three-year veteran may find himself as the elder statesman on Detroit's line.

Lions LT Riley Reiff exited Sunday's Week 7 game against the Bengals with a hamstring injury and is questionable to return.

Reiff is on the sideline sitting on the bench without his helmet, which typically is a sign that he's done for the day. Undrafted rookie LaAdrian Waddle is in the lineup at left tackle. He was a nice preseason story for Detroit.

Lions first-year LT Riley Reiff has reportedly been "impressive throughout" training camp.

Bear in mind Reiff is squaring off with raw rookie Ziggy Ansah, journeyman Willie Young, and 2012 fourth-rounder Ronnell Lewis in practice, but it's good news nonetheless. In Sunday's team drills, Reiff was reportedly "dominant," which is precisely what he should be against those players. The Lions' offensive line remains a concern, but early signs are positive on their new left tackle.

Lions LT Riley Reiff has gained ten pounds and is up to 315.

Reiff is listed at 6-foot-6, 313 by the team's official website, but he says he played last season at 305. The 2012 first-round pick will be one of three new starters on the Lions' offensive line, and OC Scott Linehan says he's "done a great job" filling retired longtime LT Jeff Backus' shoes.

Matthew Stafford doesn't expect "any kind of a drop-off" with the Lions' offensive line this season.

The Lions are replacing three starters - including both tackles - but Stafford isn't worried. "I don't expect a big change," Stafford said. "I think we're extremely talented up front." Stafford took 29 sacks last season, which was just 17th in the league. Although it's not a guarantee, it's fair to expect that number to go up in 2013.

Riley Reiff will be the Lions' left tackle this season.

The Lions had strongly considered Reiff at right guard, but the draft brought some clarity to the unit. They missed out on all three of the top tackle prospects (Eric Fisher, Luke Joeckel, Lane Johnson), so they'll roll with Reiff on Matthew Stafford's blind side. Due to short arms, it's a concern. The Lions' offensive line now looks like this: LT Reiff, LG Rob Sims, C Dominic Raiola, RG Larry Warford and RT Jason Fox.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Lions ideally would like to play Riley Reiff at right guard.

Reiff was drafted in the first round last season as a tackle. But with short arms and mediocre athletic ability, he may be best suited to play inside. If the Lions use the No. 5 overall pick in next week's draft on a tackle, the Lions could roll with a rookie and Jason Fox as the bookends on their offensive line.

Lions GM Martin Mayhew is leaving the door open for 2012 first-round pick Riley Reiff to be the team's Opening Day left tackle.

The Lions have a glaring hole after Jeff Backus' retirement and failed to secure any of free agency's premier left tackles. Central Michigan's Eric Fisher could be on Detroit's radar with the fifth overall draft pick. Reiff was considered more of a right tackle or guard prospect coming out of Iowa last year, due to short arms. He'd have to win with technique on Matthew Stafford's blindside.

According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, the Lions are "strongly" considering moving OT Riley Reiff to guard.

The Lions' website previously reported a position switch was possible, but this suggests Reiff won't be a serious candidate for Detroit's expected vacancy at right tackle. It's surprising the Lions might throw in the towel on Reiff as a tackle less than a year after taking him at No. 23, but his short arms and average athleticism made it a possibility from the start. GM Martin Mayhew is probably wishing he could have a redo on last year's first round.

The Lions' website confirms that Riley Reiff is expected to start at either tackle or guard next season.

With Gosder Cherilus an unrestricted free agent and Jeff Backus unsure if he'll be back in 2013, Reiff will almost certainly be a full-time starter after appearing in eight games as a rookie. The Lions are also considering an expanded role for fourth-year tackle Jason Fox, who could be added to the offensive line mix.

Lions GM Martin Mayhew confirmed that the team sees Riley Reiff as a tackle in the NFL.

"He can play four spots," Mayhew said. "He could evolve over time, but I see him at tackle right now." Reiff has the ability to play both guard and tackle spots. The first-round rookie out of Iowa started eight games in 2012 but was really a part-time player behind LT Jeff Backus and RT Gosder Cherilus. Backus is 35 years old and is uncertain if he will return for 2013 while Cherilus is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent. Reiff will almost certainly be a full-time starter next year.

Lions first-round pick Riley Reiff played 22-of-78 offensive snaps in Sunday's Week 6 win over Philadelphia.

It was Reiff's biggest snap count of his rookie season to this point. Reiff has been used as a sixth lineman on obvious running downs, and helped spring Mikel Leshoure (14 yards) and Joique Bell (13) for their longest gains of the game against the Eagles. Per beat writer Dave Birkett, the Lions still believe Reiff "can be a fixture" at left tackle once Jeff Backus calls it a career.

First-round OT Riley Reiff will open the season as a swing tackle.

Reiff never got a real chance to unseat long-time LT Jeff Backus or RT Gosder Cherilus. The Lions will continue to groom him to eventually step in as Matthew Stafford's blindside protector. Backus will be 35 in September and his contract is up after the 2013 season.

No. 23 pick OT Riley Reiff says he didn't play any guard in the Lions' offseason program, and "hasn't been approached" about doing so.

GM Martin Mayhew hinted in May that Reiff could see time at guard as a rookie, but he'll focus on unseating RT Gosder Cherilus or locking down swing-tackle duties in camp. Reiff boasts prototypical-tackle size at 6-foot-6, 313 pounds, but has unideal arm length at 33 1/4 inches.