The Detroit Lions sustained injuries to starting center Cade Mays and running back Isiah Pacheco during training camp. Head coach Dan Campbell announced both injuries Monday, posing an immediate test for the team's offensive line and backfield depth as the regular season approaches.
Mays suffered a wrist injury that Campbell confirmed will sideline him for a significant period. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported Mays sustained a fracture of a small bone in his wrist, with an initial return timeline of eight to 10 weeks. Mays will miss multiple games during the early stretch of the regular season, forcing an adjustment to the team's offensive front.
Campbell described Mays' injury as a "freak accident" that occurred during a protection rep. "It was just in protection," Campbell said. "He was rushing, the D lineman made an arm-over move and chopped at it. It's one of those freak things."
Pacheco is dealing with an MCL sprain. Campbell said the injury is a "little" sprain and should not prevent Pacheco from playing in Week 1. Pacheco's expected availability allows the team to maintain continuity in its backfield for the season opener.
Mays' injury is a blow to the Lions' offensive line. He signed a three-year contract with Detroit to be the team's long-term replacement at center, expected to anchor the interior line for both run blocking and pass protection.
Mays was brought in to fill the void left by Frank Ragnow, who retired abruptly before last season. Veteran Graham Glasgow held the role in 2025 after Ragnow's retirement, but his performance drew mixed results and the team cut him before free agency this year.
Without Mays, the Lions must rely on interior offensive line depth to fill the starting center role. Juice Scruggs, acquired in the David Montgomery trade, is a leading candidate but is currently sidelined with a soft-tissue injury. He is expected to compete for the starting job once healthy.
Seth McLaughlin, an undrafted free agent from Ohio State signed to a futures deal this offseason, will get an opportunity to compete for the center position. Michael Niese will also factor into the competition along the interior line.
The performances of Scruggs, McLaughlin and Niese in the coming weeks will directly shape the Lions' offensive rhythm heading into Week 1. Pacheco's favorable outlook offers relief, but the center position remains the more pressing concern the coaching staff must resolve.
