Riley Reiff, a rookie offensive lineman with the Lions, could have quite a task on his hands this week — without a lot of time to prepare.

Reiff may well start for the Lions at left tackle Thursday against the Houston Texans. Jeff Backus, a mainstay on the offensive line for over a decade, is recovering from a hamstring injury, his streak of 186 starts in serious jeopardy. Reiff, a first-round draft pick this year, is preparing for whatever role awaits him on Thanksgiving.