Buffalo, N.Y. — The Detroit Lions will be down 60% of the team’s projected starting offensive line, ruling out guard Christian Mahogany and Blake Miller for the team’s Week 2 contest against the Buffalo Bills.
The team also remains without starting center Cade Mays, who is on injured reserve with a wrist injury he suffered during training camp.
Mahogany exited the season opener after taking a tumble during a first-quarter run play. Initially evaluated for a knee injury, he is formally dealing with a hip concern that isn’t viewed as a long-term issue.
As for Miller, the team’s first-round draft pick, he played all 77 of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 1, but experienced discomfort in his knee after the contest. The team didn’t practice this week, only conducting walkthroughs, but he was estimated as a non-participant all three days.
Notably, Miller didn’t miss a game across his four-year career at Clemson, only sitting out two practices during that stretch.
To backfill the absences in the starting lineup, Juice Scruggs will make his second start at center, while Ben Bartch and Larry Borom are expected to step in at left guard and right tackle, respectively.
Bartch played 66 snaps in place of Mahogany in the opener, while Borom served as an extra blocker in jumbo packages. Additionally, Borom was an 11-game starter at right tackle for the Miami Dolphins last season.
With the injuries along the offensive line, Detroit is going to need to add some blocking depth ahead of the game against Buffalo. They have three options on the practice squad — tackle Devin Cochran, center Seth McLaughlin and the recently signed Elijah Klein — who could potentially be elevated for the contest. The team has until 4 p.m. on Thursday to announce any roster adjustments.
Beyond the o-line, cornerback DJ Reed is questionable with a foot injury that popped up on Tuesday’s injury report. If he’s unable to go after testing the injury in pre-game warmups, the team will likely turn to either Roger McCreary or Ennis Rakestraw.
This might be a two gummy bear game
"Discomfort in his knee" is horrifically vague, hopefully it's not a long-term issue. I've grown pretty paranoid about knee discomfort - looking at you, Kerby.