Detroit Lions Offensive Star Suffers Brutal Injury — Expected To Miss “Significant Period Of Time”
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Detroit Lions just took a serious blow to their offensive line after center Cade Mays injured his wrist during training camp. Head coach Dan Campbell announced Monday that Mays will be sidelined for “a significant period of time.”
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, “Lions center Cade Mays fractured a small bone in his wrist, an injury that will keep him out roughly 8-10 weeks, source said.”
The timing creates a challenge for Detroit. The Lions signed Mays to a three-year, $25 million deal this offseason, locking him in as their new starting center. The former Panthers lineman entered camp as a crucial piece of the team’s rebuilt offense.
Detroit Lions Search For Answers Up Front
Mays joined Detroit after spending four seasons with the Panthers. He started 27 games during that stretch, including 12 starts in 2025. The Lions brought him in thinking he’d be a great fit for offensive line coach Hank Fraley’s scheme and give a boost to a unit that struggled last season.
Detroit Lions center Cade Mays (Photo By Paul Barnick-Imagn Images)
Now, the coaching staff is right back to square one, finding a starting center.
#Lions center Cade Mays fractured a small bone in his wrist, an injury that will keep him out roughly 8-10 weeks, source said.
Coach Dan Campbell called the injury “significant.” But Mays should be back by midseason, at least. pic.twitter.com/BGhztyidRw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 10, 2026
Head coach Dan Campbell mentioned a few guys who could step up, with Juice Scruggs looking the best fit. Detroit picked up Scruggs from the Texans back in March as part of the David Montgomery deal. The Lions could also test out Seth McLaughlin or Michael Niese while they shuffle options through training camp.
Campbell said the team will continue evaluating players before settling on a starting lineup.
“Look, we’re going to find the best five,” Campbell said. “We will identify the best five and we’re trying to find that before camp starts, but look, if this goes into the season it does, but at some point, we will find the best five and where they belong and they’ll be ready.”
Despite the setback, Campbell praised Mays for his progress during camp.
“Of course, you hate it. I hate it for him because I felt like he was having a good camp and he had grown so much in our system just since spring,” Campbell said. “In that regard, yeah, and for us, too, but at the same time, there, again, there’s a reason why we have Juice here, too, and some of these other guys and they’re going to get a look.”
Campbell also tried to keep the situation in perspective. He joked that Mays “will be ready for the playoffs.”
The Lions open the regular season against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 13. Until Mays returns, Detroit will focus on finding the combination that gives its offense the strongest protection up front.
