Detroit Lions center Cade Mays suffered a wrist injury during training camp practice and will miss a “significant period of time”, head coach Dan Campbell announced.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Mays fractured a small bone in his wrist that is expected to sideline him roughly eight to 10 weeks.
This is a significant blow to the Lions offensive line as Mays was in line to start at center after the team signed him as an unrestricted free agent to help solidify the interior of their offensive line.
He spent his first four seasons with the Carolina Panthers as a sixth-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft out of Tennessee. Mays signed with the Lions on a 3-year, $25 million deal this offseason.
Without Mays, the Lions are expected to try Scruggs, Seth McLaughlin and Michael Niese at center as they attempt to find the best fit at the position before the season-opener against New Orleans on Sept. 13.
“Look, we’re going to find the best five,” Campbell said of the offensive line. “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.”
The Lions will open the 2026 season at home against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 13th.
