Drew Petzing appears to have found the right formula with Juice Scruggs, and the results have shown up quickly for the Detroit Lions.
With center Cade Mays sidelined by an injury in August, Scruggs was thrust into a bigger role and has helped steady an offensive line that was expected to take a hit. Through three games, Detroit has allowed 39 QB pressures, a number that puts the unit in the middle of the league pack at 15th in pass protection.
The change may have started with a simple message from Petzing. When he met with reporters Thursday, the offensive coordinator said he urged Scruggs to be louder at the line and to take control.
"So it’s not the Ron Burgundy question mark at the end. It’s more like, 'No, I am Ron Burgundy and this is what we’re doing.
Let’s go.' You've seen that develop in his time at the position," Petzing said.
Scruggs’ play has been strong enough that it could even shape the Lions’ long-term plans. One mock trade has been floated involving Scruggs and the Ravens, with all-pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey headed to Detroit - a scenario that would have sounded ridiculous before the season.
For now, the bigger question is what happens when Mays is ready to return. His Lions debut is expected after the bye week against the Packers on Oct. 25, and Scruggs will shift to left guard. There, he’ll compete with 2024 sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany, who has not yet locked down the job after taking over at the spot.
The competition appears close, but Scruggs has the edge in both run blocking and pass protection. Add in the leadership he’s showing now, and it would not be a surprise if the coaching staff leans his way. Even if he doesn’t win the starting job, the other player could still remain part of a goal-line package, similar to Larry Borom.
In Other News...
Dan Campbell Hinted At Big Lions Roster Decisions Before Carolina
With a short week leading into Carolina, Dan Campbell spent part of his pregame update signaling that the Lions still have some roster chess to play. Detroit is in trade talks for Joey Porter Jr., while safety Brian Branch is nearing a return to practice, and Campbell also made clear that he remains confident in linebacker Jack Campbell even after a slow start to the season. The message was less about the headlines than the direction: the Lions are still sorting out how their defense wants to look as the schedule tightens.
The immediate assignment, though, is straightforward enough. Detroit is focused on keeping Bryce Young from settling in, and Campbell said the biggest defensive concern beyond that is handling tight ends in the middle of the field. He also raised the possibility of rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder getting defensive snaps, a reminder that the Lions may not be done adjusting the group as they balance short-term needs with longer-term decisions. [Read more 🡒]
Brian Branch Return Timeline Just Got A Lot More Interesting
Brian Branchs path back to the field is starting to come into focus, and that matters for a Lions defense that has had to wait out one of its most important young pieces. The safety is close to returning from the Achilles injury he suffered last season, according to Dan Campbell, after beginning the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list. If the timeline holds, Branch is expected to be eligible to return to practice next week, a first step toward getting him back in the mix.
What happens after that will be the part Detroit is watching most closely. The Lions would then have the 21-day window to work through before deciding on activation, and Kelvin Sheppards recent comments about the defense and its preparation only add to the sense that the unit is bracing for a potentially meaningful addition. For a team trying to keep its defensive rhythm intact, Branchs return would be one of the more notable developments on the horizon. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Could Have Tough Trade Calls If Young Talent Keeps Rising
The Lions are heading toward the trade deadline in an unusual spot for a team still trying to build something lasting: they are expected to be buyers, but they also have to keep sorting through which veterans and depth pieces fit the roster long term. As Detroit evaluates its options, cornerback Amani Oruwariye, defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike and offensive lineman Logan Stenberg have surfaced as names to watch, especially if the front office decides a roster spot or draft asset can be better used elsewhere.
What makes the calculus trickier is that the answer may not be about those players alone. The Lions also have to factor in how younger talent is coming along and whether injuries create new pressure points before the deadline arrives. If those developments keep breaking the right way, Detroit could find itself making some difficult calls on useful pieces rather than simply adding help. [Read more 🡒]