Overview
- The Lions face urgent line depth issues after center Cade Mays suffered a wrist injury that is expected to keep him out until at least October and left the team short at interior spots.
- Ben Bartch is in concussion protocol and head coach Dan Campbell said Bartch’s window to win a starting job is shrinking, increasing the need for immediate options.
- On Thursday the team hosted workouts with veteran guards Laken Tomlinson and Will Hernandez but did not sign either player as the Lions continue to evaluate short-term fits.
- Internally the club has shifted players to center with Juice Scruggs emerging as the clear favorite in the competition to replace Mays while Tate Ratledge and Seth McLaughlin also receive reps.
- Tomlinson brings long-term starting experience and recent availability, Hernandez offers prior familiarity with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing but carries recent ACL and hip/knee injury history, and the Lions must weigh a veteran short-term plug against developing in-house depth that could affect early-season line continuity.