The Detroit Lions suffered a major training camp setback when prized free agent center Prideofdetroit sustained a wrist injury during practice on Sunday, August 9, 2026, according to Detroit Free Press head coach Dan Campbell. According to a report from Ian Rapoport of Bleacher Report and the Detroitnews, the injury is a bone fracture expected to sideline the lineman for roughly 8 to 10 weeks.
Detroit Lions Center Cade Mays Suffers Wrist Fracture
Campbell announced the injury during his Monday morning press conference, stating that the 27-year-old lineman will miss a significant period of time. Cade Mays had a wrist injury,
Campbell said, as reported by Cbsnews. He will be out for a significant period of time. He will be back for the season at some point, but it’ll be down the road.
Campbell explained that Mays was injured in protection
when a defensive lineman made an arm-over move and chopped at his wrist.
Offshore Investment and Roster Context
The injury deals a heavy blow to an offensive line that the Lions reshuffled following the unanticipated retirement of Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow in June 2025 at age 29, followed by a lackluster regular-season performance from Graham Glasgow. Seeking major upgrades on the interior, Detroit targeted Mays in free agency and signed him to a three-year, $25 million contract in March. Mays had previously made 52 appearances over four years with the Carolina Panthers, including 12 starts for Carolina last season.
During the first two weeks of training camp, Mays took virtually all of the first-team reps at center and drew praise from the coaching staff. 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 in spring,
Campbell said. With Mays facing a multi-week absence and likely opening the season on injured reserve, the team must evaluate alternative options to anchor the middle of the offensive line.
Contenders to Fill the Center Vacancy
The Lions have several candidates competing to fill the void left by Mays’ absence:
- Juice Scruggs: Acquired in an offseason trade with the Houston Texans as part of the deal for running back David Montgomery, Scruggs has started 20 games over his first three seasons and can play guard and center. He is currently dealing with a soft-tissue injury and is expected to return in a few days as an early favorite for the job.
- Seth McLaughlin: An undrafted player out of Ohio State in 2025 who tore his Achilles tendon in November 2024 and spent last season on the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad, McLaughlin is receiving reps with the starters in practice.
- Tate Ratledge: The starting right guard is undergoing cross-training and taking occasional snaps at center to regain familiarity with the position.
- Michael Niese: A reserve option who served as the Lions’ backup center in previous seasons.
There’s a reason why we’ve got Juice here, too, and some of these other guys,
Campbell said. And they’re going to get a look.
The team has half its training camp practices and three preseason games remaining to determine their final starting lineup.
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