The Detroit Lions will be without two starting offensive linemen when they visit the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night, leaving the unit thinner than planned for a short-week road game.
Right tackle Blake Miller was ruled out with a knee injury. Left guard Christian Mahogany was listed out with a hip injury. Both designations came on the team’s final injury report Wednesday.
Miller, the Lions’ first-round pick at No. 17 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, started his professional debut Sunday against New Orleans. He finished the overtime win but felt the knee tighten after the game.
Mahogany left the Saints contest after 11 snaps in the first quarter. The injury was first described as involving the knee before it was reclassified as a hip issue.
The absences come on top of center Cade Mays remaining on injured reserve with a fractured right wrist suffered in August. That injury was projected at the time to sideline him eight to 10 weeks.
Juice Scruggs started at center in Week 1 in Mays’ place. Veteran Ben Bartch replaced Mahogany after the early exit and is expected to start at left guard Thursday. Larry Borom is slated to start at right tackle in Miller’s absence. Borom started 11 games at the position a year ago.
Cornerback D.J. Reed is questionable with a foot injury. He was limited in practice Tuesday and Wednesday after not appearing on Monday’s report. Reed played 89 snaps in the opener.
Scruggs (knee) and defensive back Christian Izien (groin) practiced fully Wednesday and carry no game-status designations.
The Lions allowed pressure on 22 percent of dropbacks in Week 1, the second-lowest rate in the league that weekend. Miller allowed one hurry across 41 pass-blocking snaps in his debut.
Buffalo listed safety Cole Bishop (knee/groin), running back Ty Johnson (hamstring) and defensive lineman T.J. Sanders (knee/illness) as questionable.
Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET at the Bills’ new Highmark Stadium.
Mays signed a three-year, $25 million contract in free agency this offseason to stabilize the center spot after Frank Ragnow’s retirement. He has not appeared in a regular-season game for Detroit.
Miller did not miss a game in three seasons as a starter at Clemson. The knee issue is the first documented absence of his football career at any level.
Mahogany’s early exit Sunday came on a non-contact play while running in space on a Jahmyr Gibbs carry.
The Lions opened 1-0 with a 31-30 overtime victory over the Saints. They now face a Bills team that is also 1-0.
Depth along the offensive line will be tested again after the club invested in the unit during the offseason, including shifting Penei Sewell to left tackle and drafting Miller.
Reed started 11 games last season and recorded two interceptions. His availability will be a game-time decision.
