Detroit Lions Offensive Lineman Set To Be Out For 'A Long Time'
The Detroit Lions’ 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings was a tough pill to swallow, but the final score wasn’t the only blow the team suffered on Sunday. A significant injury to a key starter on the offensive line has created a major setback for a team trying to climb back to the top of the NFC North. Starting guard Christian Mahogany is expected to miss significant time, leaving a major hole to fill.
Detroit Lions Christian Mahogany: A “Long Time” Absence
Late in the game against the Vikings, Mahogany went down with a leg injury that looked serious. He was eventually carted off the field, and the news following the game confirmed the team’s fears. Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters that he expects Mahogany to be out for a “long time,” with a potential return not coming until late December. This lengthy absence deals a significant blow to the continuity and strength of the Lions’ offensive front. Mahogany has been a solid presence at guard, and his loss will be felt immediately.
Offensive Line Depth to be Tested
Mahogany’s injury was not the only scare for the Lions’ offensive line during the game. Tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell, along with guard Tate Ratledge, all dealt with injuries at various points. While they were able to return to the game, their status moving forward is something to monitor. The accumulation of injuries along the offensive line will test the team’s depth in a major way. With Mahogany officially sidelined for an extended period, Detroit will need to rely on its backup linemen to step up and maintain a high level of play to protect the quarterback and create lanes in the running game.
Navigating a Critical Stretch
The loss to the Vikings was a missed opportunity for the Lions, who could have claimed first place in the NFC North with a win and a Packers loss. Instead, they remain in a tight divisional race and now face the challenge of moving forward without a key starter. The timing is difficult, as the team will have to navigate a critical stretch of its schedule with a reconfigured offensive line. How the Lions adapt to Mahogany’s absence will be crucial to their success and will be a major storyline to watch in the coming weeks.
Kyle Dugger Absence vs. Browns Strains Patriots Secondary
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — With their Week 8 matchup against the Cleveland Browns set to kick off at Gillette Stadium, the New England
The Patriots (5-2) enter this matchup on the heels of a dominant 31-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Cleveland (1-5) also won its Week 7 contest against the Miami Dolphins by a score of 31-6 at Huntington Bank Field.
With just over an hour until the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, the Patriots and Browns have released their lists of inactives:
PATRIOTS INACTIVES:
S Kyle Dugger
LB Caleb Murphy
WR Efton Chism, III
DE Eric Gregory
DE Keion White
G Caedan Wallace
QB Tommy DeVito (3rd QB)
What it Means for the Patriots:
Dugger entered the weekend as questionable for Week 8 with a knee injury. The Lenoir-Rhyne product did not participate the the Pats final practice of the week and was the lone Patriot to be listed on their ultimate injury and practice participation report.
This season, Dugger has appeared in all seven games [making four starts] while compiling 17 total tackles. Due to his preseason and early-season struggles, the former Pats’ team captain has been the subject of both trade and release rumors — the former of which are expected to continue up to the NFL’s
Throughout his five-plus seasons in Foxborough, Dugger has appeared in 81 regular season games, making 69 starts. He also started his only playoff appearance in 2021. The Decatur, Georgia native has compiled 441 total tackles, nine interceptions and two fumble recoveries, while scoring three defensive touchdowns. His extensive knowledge of the Patriots playbook made him the logical choice to serve as their starter with veteran Jaylinn Hawkins being sidelined for the past two games with a hamstring injury.
Despite having just been signed by the Patriots on Oct. 15, defensive back Richie Grant’s elevation from the practice squad may indicate that he is likely to inherit some of the reps normally allotted to Dugger. The veteran safety was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an unrestricted free agent this past offseason but was released prior to the start of the season. Throughout his four seasons in the NFL, the 6’0” 200-pound defensive back has played in 67 games with 33 starts and has accumulated 264 total tackles, three sacks, three interceptions, 17 passes-defensed and 11 special teams tackles.
The Patriots may also turn to second-year defensive back Dell Pettus, perhaps the more-likely choice to receive Dugger’s reps. Pettus has logged 10 total tackles, one forced fumble and one run-stuff in reserve duty this season.
BROWNS INACTIVES:
QB Shedeur Sanders
CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
S Damontae Kazee
RB Raheim Sanders
G Zack Zinter
T Cornelius Lucas
DT Adin Huntington
