The Detroit Lions have been missing a key piece up front, and now there’s finally some light at the end of the tunnel. After spending the past month on the sidelines with a broken leg, rookie left guard Christian Mahogany is inching closer to a return. And while he won’t be suiting up this Sunday against the Rams, the Lions are opening his practice window this week - a sign that his comeback could be just around the corner.
Head coach Dan Campbell spoke earlier this week about Mahogany’s progress, and while he tempered expectations for immediate impact, the tone was optimistic. “We’ll probably try to get him some work this week,” Campbell said. “I don’t expect a lot right now, but I do think he’s starting to feel good enough to work him into practice.”
That’s welcome news for a Lions offensive line that’s been under the microscope ever since Mahogany went down in Week 9 against the Vikings. His absence has left a noticeable void in the run game and in pass protection - two areas where Mahogany had started to carve out a solid identity, even with some rookie growing pains.
In the weeks since, Detroit has turned to Kayode Awosika and Trystan Colon to fill the left guard spot, and the results have been shaky at best. Both have struggled to hold the line, particularly in pass protection.
Colon’s outing against the Cowboys last Thursday was a perfect case in point. Starting in place of an injured Awosika, Colon allowed four pressures on just seven dropbacks early in the game - a brutal stretch that led to an early benching.
But to his credit, Colon bounced back. He returned in the second quarter and settled in, even delivering a key block on one of Jahmyr Gibbs’ three touchdown runs. It was a reminder that while the floor may be low, the ceiling is still there when Colon finds his rhythm.
That game also marked the NFL debut of rookie Miles Frazier, who was thrust into action after spending most of the season recovering from a knee injury. The numbers weren’t pretty - Pro Football Focus graded him at 23.2, and he gave up three pressures and a quarterback hit - but context matters.
This was a rookie stepping into a live NFL game for the first time, midseason, against a physical Dallas front. And while the stat sheet was rough, the offense actually began to click a bit during his brief time on the field.
Now, with another week of practice under his belt, Frazier could be in line for more reps this Sunday against the Rams. When asked if Frazier had done enough to earn the start, Campbell didn’t tip his hand. “Hard to say,” he admitted, though he made it clear he wants to keep getting the rookie involved.
“I would like to get (Frazier) in this game, get him a couple more reps,” Campbell said during a Tuesday radio appearance. “Let him grow, but I see us using Colon, too.”
So, expect a rotation at left guard this weekend. Colon and Frazier will likely split time, and both will have their hands full against a Rams defensive line that knows how to create chaos in the trenches.
For Detroit, the mission is simple: keep Jared Goff upright and give the run game enough daylight to stay balanced. That starts with better play at left guard - whether it’s the veteran trying to rebound or the rookie looking to make a stronger second impression.
And while Mahogany won’t be in uniform just yet, his return is on the horizon. If he can get back to form in time for the stretch run, it could be a major boost for a Lions team that’s still very much in the thick of things.