Lions lose two starting linemen to injuries ahead of Bills clash

Key points

• Christian Mahogany and Blake Miller are ruled out for the Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills.
• Mahogany injured his hip on the second offensive series of the Week 1 win over the New Orleans Saints.
• Miller’s knee injury, which he did not fully realize until after his Week 1 debut, will end his perfect college attendance record.
• Veteran Larry Borom will start at right tackle, replacing Miller, while Ben Bartch is expected to start at left guard.
• Cornerback D.J. Reed is listed as questionable with a foot injury, but center Juice Scruggs and defensive back Christian Izien are expected to play.
• The Bills have three players listed as questionable: safety Cole Bishop, running back Ty Johnson, and defensive lineman T.J. Sanders.

Background

Blake Miller, a 2026 first-round pick, was a leading candidate for the Lions’ Rookie of the Year award before his injury. He had not missed a game in three years at Clemson. The Lions also lost starting center Cade Mays for an extended period due to a broken wrist, with Juice Scruggs filling in. This week’s injuries add to a challenging start for the offensive line, which has faced multiple setbacks in the first two weeks.

How outlets are covering it

Pride Of Detroit and the Detroit Free Press both confirm that Mahogany and Miller are ruled out, with the Free Press noting that Miller described the injury as one where he did not realize the extent until after the game. CBS Sports provides a broader NFL context, highlighting that the Lions are among several teams dealing with significant injury issues in Week 2. All three sources agree on the replacements for Miller and Mahogany, but only Pride Of Detroit details the potential elevation of practice squad players to maintain an eight-man offensive line for game day. The Free Press emphasizes the impact on the Lions’ offensive line depth, while CBS Sports focuses on the broader league injury landscape.

Why it matters

The absence of two starting offensive linemen could significantly impact the Detroit Lions’ ability to protect the quarterback and sustain their offensive rhythm against the Buffalo Bills, who possess the No. 4 passing offense in the NFL. The reliance on backups like Larry Borom and Ben Bartch may test the depth of the Lions’ offensive line, which has already faced challenges with the absence of starting center Cade Mays. This could also affect the team’s overall performance and their ability to compete in a high-stakes Thursday Night Football matchup.

What to watch

The Detroit Lions will face the Buffalo Bills in a Thursday Night Football game, with the outcome potentially influenced by the performance of their backup offensive linemen. The status of cornerback D.J. Reed will be a game-time decision, and the Lions may elevate practice squad players to maintain an eight-man offensive line. The team will also need to manage the return of Christian Izien and the continued absence of Cade Mays, who is expected to return next month.