The Detroit Lions are suddenly on the hunt for offensive line help, trying out veteran guards Will Hernandez and Laken Tomlinson on Thursday. This whirlwind scramble comes on the heels of head coach Dan Campbell’s announcement that depth guard Ben Bartch is in concussion protocol and basically out of the running for the starting left guard spot. It’s a tough break that’s got the Lions looking to shore up their interior line right in the middle of training camp.
Bartch’s Injury Creates a Major Hole in the Depth Chart
The news about Ben Bartch isn’t just a minor setback, it’s a huge shift for the Lions’ O-line plans. Campbell didn’t mince words about Bartch’s chances, saying, “It’s hard to say that (he can win the starting job). It’s real hard to say that over four (remaining) practices or whatever. Doesn’t mean it can’t, but that window is shrinking right now.” That’s a brutal reality check, emphasizing the immediate need for Bartch to get healthy first. The issue is, beyond Bartch, Detroit doesn’t have much starting experience to back up their projected starters, Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge. Mason Miller and Melvin Priestly have zero NFL game appearances, and Michael Niese has never started a game in his 26 appearances. That’s a serious red flag when you’re talking about protecting the quarterback.
Two Experienced Veterans Step In
Enter Will Hernandez and Laken Tomlinson, two guys who know what it’s like to play on Sundays. Hernandez is a former second-round pick with 98 career starts, which is a massive amount of experience for any team to consider. He also played four seasons with the Cardinals under new Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, starting 42 games in that span. That existing connection with the offensive system could be a huge plus. The big question mark around Hernandez, though, is his health. He tore his ACL in 2024, and hip and knee injuries limited him to just seven games in 2025. Then there’s Laken Tomlinson, a familiar name to Lions fans. He was Detroit’s first-round pick way back in 2015! Tomlinson has started an incredible 162 games, including seven last year with the Texans before they released him in December. At 34, his best days might be behind him, but his veteran presence in a young guard room could be invaluable.
Neither player had signed by Thursday evening, but the Lions clearly need a veteran presence who can step in, potentially for the opening day roster. Keep an eye on Detroit’s transaction wire over the next few days. With the starting left guard competition suddenly wide open due to Bartch’s concussion, the stakes are high for these tryouts. The Lions need to figure out this O-line situation fast if they want to hit the ground running this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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