NFL

Detroit Lions ruled out offensive starters Mahogany and Miller for Bills clash

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Sep 17, 2026, 02:36 IST

The Detroit Lions will be without starting offensive linemen Christian Mahogany and Blake Miller for Thursday's game against the Buffalo Bills due to hip and knee injuries sustained in their season opener.

Detroit Lions ruled out offensive starters Mahogany and Miller for Bills clash

The Detroit Lions face a significant personnel challenge heading into their Thursday night matchup against the Buffalo Bills, with two key starters on the offensive line officially ruled out. Both Christian Mahogany and Blake Miller have been sidelined after failing to recover from injuries sustained during the team's dramatic 31-30 overtime victory against the New Orleans Saints this past Sunday.

The short turnaround between games has proven difficult for the pair, who were unable to participate in practice throughout the week. Despite initial optimism regarding their availability for the Bills' inaugural regular-season game at the new Highmark Stadium, the team confirmed their absence as they prepare to face a challenging road environment.

Injury setbacks impact Lions' offensive line depth

Blake Miller, the Lions' 17th overall draft pick who started at right tackle, noted that he experienced discomfort in his knee during the season opener. While he managed to play through the initial pain, the condition worsened once the adrenaline of the game subsided. Miller described the situation as a common post-game reality where the true extent of an injury becomes apparent only after returning home.

Christian Mahogany, who started the opener at left guard, suffered a hip injury during the first quarter. The incident occurred during a 21-yard run by running back Jahmyr Gibbs at the 6:11 mark. Mahogany appeared to stumble on a non-contact play before being attended to by trainers and eventually carted off the field. Despite the concerning nature of the exit, head coach Dan Campbell expressed optimism regarding the long-term outlook for the lineman, suggesting the injury is not expected to be a season-long issue.

Adjusting the lineup for Buffalo

In response to the absences, the Lions are turning to their depth chart to maintain stability on the offensive front. Coach Campbell emphasized confidence in the team's ability to manage the rotation, stating that the roster possesses sufficient depth to navigate the immediate challenges posed by the upcoming schedule.

Veteran Larry Borom is expected to step into the right tackle position vacated by Miller, while Ben Bartch is slated to take over at left guard in place of Mahogany. The team will look to these replacements to anchor the line as they aim to build on the momentum of their narrow Week 1 win against New Orleans.