The Lions added a new name to Tuesday’s injury report, with cornerback D.J. Reed popping up as the team worked through another walkthrough ahead of Thursday night’s Week 2 matchup with the Bills.
Because Detroit and Buffalo are on a short week, Tuesday’s practice report was based on estimates rather than a full-speed session. That means the listed participation levels reflect what the coaching staff believes each player would have done in a normal practice.
The clearest concerns remain on the offensive line. Left guard Christian Mahogany (hip) and right tackle Blake Miller (knee) were both estimated as no practice. Dan Campbell said Monday that Mahogany’s issue is not “something serious long-term, but it could be tough to get him ready for Thursday,” which points toward Ben Bartch likely stepping in at left guard against Buffalo.
Miller’s situation sounded less settled. Campbell said the injury needed more information before the team could make a call, though Miller struck a more upbeat tone when he spoke with reporters.
“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,” Miller said.
There was some encouraging movement elsewhere on the report. Scruggs was estimated to have practiced both days this week, and even a limited designation suggests the staff sees a path for him to suit up Thursday.
Reed’s late addition is the new wrinkle. Since he appeared on the report Tuesday, it’s unclear whether he picked up something during the walkthrough or was simply limited by discomfort. Campbell isn’t scheduled to speak again until after Thursday night’s game, so the next real update will come with Wednesday’s injury designations.
Christian Izien (groin) was listed as a full participant, which is another positive step as he inches toward a possible Lions debut. Campbell said the team held him out a little longer last week but likes the direction he’s headed.
“Last week, we were close but wanted to give him a few more days,” Campbell said of Izien’s potential return from injury. “He’s looked pretty good through the week, and we’ve continued to run him in preparation, hopefully, for this game. He took reps yesterday, so I would say he’s trending the right way-not totally there yet, but there’s a good chance.”
The injured list updates also included Campbell’s Monday note that Pacheco’s back injury required surgery and that it was “going to be a while” before he could return. Ian Rapoport later reported that the procedure addressed a nerve in Pacheco’s back, with recovery time around 12 weeks and a possible December return.
In Other News...
Lions Face A Prime-Time Problem As Jahmyr Gibbs Heads To Buffalo
The Lions are heading into a short week with a little less stability up front than they probably wanted. Detroit visits Buffalo on Thursday night in Week 2, and the matchup comes with both teams sitting at 1-0 after opening wins, the Bills over Houston and the Lions in overtime against New Orleans. It will also be Buffalos home opener at the new Highmark Stadium, with the game set for Prime Video, which gives the stage an early-season feel before either side has much time to settle in.
For Detroit, the bigger concern may be how it handles the trenches without starting left guard Christian Mahogany and right tackle Blake Miller, both out because of injuries. That puts even more attention on a Lions offense that is already expected to lean on Jahmyr Gibbs, especially in a game that could turn physical quickly under the lights in Buffalo. Prime-time road games are one thing when a line is intact, and another when the protection and run-game pieces are already shifting before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Could Catch A Break In Buffalo's First Outdoor Test
The Lions are heading into one of the more interesting road setups on their schedule, with Buffalo set to host them at the Bills new Highmark Stadium, a building that still does not have a roof. Forecast rain before kickoff could turn the surface slick and make this as much a test of footing and ball security as it is of talent, which is exactly the kind of wrinkle that can change how both teams script their first few drives.
For Detroit, the weather could tilt the game away from a pure trench battle and toward a more pass-heavy approach if the ground game becomes harder to trust. Wet conditions always raise the stakes on exchanges, cuts and catches, and if the field plays fast but slippery, the Lions may have to lean on cleaner operation through the air while both sides try to avoid the kind of mistakes that rain can manufacture. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Stars Got Snubbed After Putting Detroit In The Spotlight
Week 1 put Detroit in the national spotlight in more ways than one, and the Lions had more than enough star power to earn some leaguewide recognition. Jahmyr Gibbs was electric on the ground for Detroit, piling up 156 yards and two touchdowns, while Aidan Hutchinson kept making his presence felt on defense as the Lions opened the season with a performance that looked every bit like a team built to matter.
The weekly awards, though, went elsewhere. Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week over Gibbs after rushing for 124 yards and three touchdowns, and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun took Defensive Player of the Week ahead of Hutchinson. It leaves Detroit with the kind of early-season slight that tends to stick in a locker room, especially when the production was right there for everyone to see. [Read more 🡒]