Seth McLaughlin is missing from practice, and just like that, the Detroit Lions’ center depth has been absolutely gutted right before their preseason finale. After what felt like endless issues at the position already, the Lions are now staring down a catastrophic hole, potentially with just *one* healthy center on the roster for Saturday’s game. This whole situation is wild, especially with training camp wrapping up.
The Center Catastrophe Just Got Worse
Man, where do you even start with this center situation? It’s been rough for a minute. Remember when Cade Mays fractured his wrist? Then backup Juice Scruggs missed time with his own injury, though thankfully he’s back and set to start Week 1. But just when you thought things might stabilize, McLaughlin’s absence hit. The Lions originally came into camp with Mays, Scruggs, McLaughlin, and Michael Niese as their four centers. Now? Mays is sidelined with a wrist injury, McLaughlin is a no-show, and Niese is out with a leg injury. That leaves them in an incredibly tight spot. We don’t even know if McLaughlin’s absence is injury-related, but it doesn’t matter much when you’re this shorthanded.
Who’s Snapping the Ball on Saturday?
This is the million-dollar question, isn’t it? The Lions really don’t want to play Scruggs, their projected Week 1 starter, risking another injury. So, who’s left? They signed Gus Hartwig earlier this week, and he might be the *only* healthy center available. Beyond that, they might have to roll with Mason Miller at center with the starters. The problem? Miller usually plays right guard, and he didn’t play a single snap at center in college. To make matters worse, he and quarterback Luke Altmyer had several botched snaps during Thursday’s practice. That’s not exactly inspiring confidence for a unit that’s supposed to protect the quarterback and get the offense going. Even Miles Frazier, who returned to practice and was limited to individual drills, ended up at right guard with the second-team offense, which is usually Miller’s spot.
Injury Bug Bites Hard Across the Board
It’s not just center, either. The injury list for the Lions is long, showing this team is really feeling the pain from training camp. Running back Isiah Pacheco is out with a knee injury. Rookie defensive end Derrick Moore will miss a bit of time, though Coach Dan Campbell hopes to get him back next week. And tough break for Payton Turner, who was just placed on injured reserve on Thursday evening due to a back injury. That likely means his season is over, or he’ll be released with an injury settlement. Guys like offensive tackle Giovanni Manu, linebackers Jimmy Rolder and Trevor Nowaske, and safeties Thomas Harper, Christian Izien, Kerby Joseph, and Brian Branch are all on the shelf too. Even S Avo got hurt during practice. Edge Ahmed Hassanein did return to practice on Thursday, getting some team action in the scrimmage despite Campbell saying he’d sit out, but it’s a brutal list regardless.
The Lions have a massive challenge ahead of them this Saturday in their preseason finale. With their starting center likely getting rested and literally no depth behind him, it’s going to be a fascinating, if nerve-wracking, watch to see who steps up and can actually get the ball cleanly to the quarterback. Here’s hoping they figure something out, fast, before Week 1 kicks off and things get real.
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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