The Detroit Lions’ first-round pick, Blake Miller, was estimated as a non-participant in Monday’s walkthrough with a knee injury. What a gut punch, right? With a short week looming and a road game against the Bills on Thursday, it looks like his iron man streak from college could be broken after just one NFL game.
The “Iron Man” is Optimistic, But is it Enough?
Miller, the man who started 54 consecutive contests in three years at Clemson without missing a single game, suddenly has his pro debut season hitting a snag. After the injury report dropped, you gotta wonder what’s going on. But get this: Miller actually sounded pretty optimistic when he spoke to the media, saying he’s already made progress. “I’m doing everything I humanly can to get my body feeling the best it can feel. Even with the progress just today that I’ve made, I’m happy, and I’m optimistic,” he told reporters.
He didn’t even pinpoint a specific play where it happened, just that something felt “weird” on the sidelines and then it got worse after the adrenaline wore off. So he went proactive, hitting rehab “as early as I could” to “nip this in the bud.” You love to see that fight from a rookie, but optimism doesn’t equal being on the field, especially on a quick turnaround like this.
Coach Campbell’s Caution and the O-Line Shuffle
Coach Dan Campbell, bless his heart, was a lot more cautious with his take, saying it was “really tough to say” if Miller could play. “We’re going to know a lot more tomorrow,” he added. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for a guy trying to get back for a Thursday night game. If Miller can’t go, the Lions aren’t totally out of options, thankfully. They’ve got veteran Larry Borom, who brings 38 starts in his five-year career, including 11 last season for the Dolphins. That’s some decent experience to lean on in a pinch.
But wait, there’s more o-line drama! It’s looking even less likely that starting left guard Christian Mahogany will suit up for Thursday’s game. Campbell did say it’s not a “serious long-term” issue, but getting him ready for the Bills is “tough.” Ben Bartch stepped in for over three quarters on Sunday when Mahogany went out, and Campbell admitted the veteran guard looked a “little rusty” against the Saints. “I thought there was some real good and there was some that wasn’t so good. Just inconsistent, a little rusty, which I wouldn’t say was that abnormal,” Campbell said. He’s confident Bartch will get better, though, because “the good was really good” and he’s a veteran. Still, you don’t want your o-line looking rusty this early in the season.
So, heading into Thursday night, the Lions’ offensive line is in flux. Can Miller’s optimism translate to him actually playing? Will Bartch be sharp enough to hold down the fort if Mahogany is out? This isn’t just a tough road game against the Bills; it’s a test of depth and early-season resilience for that critical offensive line. Every snap matters, and the health of this unit is gonna dictate a lot about how this early season shakes out. We’ll be watching!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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