Left guards are beginning to dominate our late-afternoon coverage window. In addition to Broncos LG Ben Powers returning to practice amid a lengthy IR stay, the Lions will see their starting option do the same.
Christian Mahogany is back at practice, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson noting the first-year starter is in the IR-return window. Like Powers in Denver, Detroit will have three weeks to activate Mahogany or lose him to season-ending IR.
Unlike Powers, Mahogany has only missed five games. The second-year blocker started the first eight Lions contests before going down with a knee injury. This will certainly be welcome news for a Detroit team in the thick of the wild-card race — and one that just saw Frank Ragnow‘s comeback attempt fall by the wayside.
Detroit has used Kayode Awosika, who has been with the team as a backup since 2022, as Mahogany’s replacement. Mahogany resided as a backup last season, with the Lions rostering Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler. Prior to Ragnow’s retirement, Zeitler defected to the Titans in free agency. Pro Football Focus has graded Mahogany fairly well in his first real go-round as a starter, ranking him 31st among guards this season. PFF slots Awosika 47th, which is still passable since 80 guards qualify as regulars this season.
This is not exactly good news on the level of Ragnow’s surprise unretirement, but after a hamstring injury surfaced during his physical, no such effort will take place this season. That scenario would have given the Lions an option of sliding center Graham Glasgow to guard, where he has extensive experience. Now, Glasgow will stay put as Mahogany readies to return.
The Lions also claimed defensive back Jalen Mills off waivers from the Texans, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. To make room on the 53-man roster, Detroit waived tight end Hayden Rucci. A 92-game starter during a career that has included extensive time at both safety and cornerback, Mills has played in four games (starting one) this season. Houston waived him Tuesday.
Mills, 31, has not played regularly at corner since 2022. Making a successful transition to safety, Mills has still seen regular time in the slot over the past three seasons — spent with the Patriots, Jets and Texans. Houston signed Mills to a one-year, $1.26MM deal; Detroit will be responsible for just less than $300K.
This comes after Brian Branch suffered an Achilles tear in Week 14; the standout defender already underwent surgery. Kerby Joseph has not played since Week 6, leaving the Lions in a tough spot. They are also down Terrion Arnold for the season. Joseph is aiming to return before season’s end.
How’s his nickname not “Woody?”