Urgent Lions Update: Pacheco & Scruggs Injury Status Revealed
Detroit Lions Training Camp Day 10: Injury Updates & Big News About the Starting Center
The Big Headline: Starting Center Cade Mays Is Out for a While
IMPORTANT POINT
The biggest news from Monday’s practice is that starting center Cade Mays broke his wrist and will miss 8–10 weeks. That means he’ll be out for a big chunk of the season — maybe even the first few regular-season games.
The center is the player who snaps the ball to the quarterback to start every play. Losing your starter there is a really big deal.
Who’s Stepping Up at Center?
With Mays out, the Lions need a new starting center fast. Here are the main guys in the mix:
- Juice Scruggs — He was already competing for the job. Coach Dan Campbell said he’s a "candidate" to start Week 1.
- Seth McLaughlin — He took all the starting practice reps at center on Monday while Scruggs was out.
NOTE
Scruggs is currently dealing with a soft-tissue injury (like a muscle strain). Campbell said he’ll be back in "a few more days." Until then, McLaughlin gets the first-team practice reps.
Good News: Players Returning to Practice
These guys missed a few days but were back on the field Monday:
| Player | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cedrick Wilson Jr. | Wide Receiver | Missed a few practices (undisclosed injury). Back in the mix for the WR5/WR6 roster spots. |
| Mekhi Wingo | Defensive Tackle | Also back after a few days off. Still working his way into full team drills. |
| Josh Dobbs | Quarterback | Not injured! He just joined the team. He didn’t do team drills yet but threw a lot in individual work. |
Players Still Working with Trainers (Not Practicing Yet)
These players were on the field but not doing team drills. They’re rehabbing injuries:
Good News Updates from Coach Campbell
- RB Isiah Pacheco: Has an MCL sprain (knee ligament). Campbell said: "We feel pretty good about him being ready to go, certainly when the season gets here. I’m not concerned about that."
- RB Sione Vaki: Recovering from a poked eye and broken nose. He was at practice without a face shield, eye still red but in good spirits. No official return date yet.
- G Juice Scruggs: Soft-tissue injury. Out a "few more days." Key guy for the starting center battle.
Others Still Out (No Major Updates Yet)
- WR Greg Dortch (undisclosed)
- OT Giovanni Manu (NFI — Non-Football Injury list)
- EDGE Payton Turner (back)
- DT Aidan Keanaaina (undisclosed)
- LB Damone Clark (undisclosed)
- LB Jimmy Rolder (leg)
- S Kerby Joseph (PUP list, knee)
- S Brian Branch (PUP list, Achilles)
- S Avonte Maddox (Absent Monday, no reason given. Thomas Harper took starting safety reps with Chuck Clark.)
New Injury Scare: OT Devin Cochran
- Left practice early before team drills.
- Did not return.
- No team update yet on what happened.
Ripple Effect: With Cochran out, Miles Frazier played right tackle with the second-team offense (Larry Borom was at left tackle).
Summary: What You Need to Know
- Cade Mays (Starting Center) = OUT 8–10 weeks (Broken wrist). This is the story.
- Juice Scruggs is the top backup option but has a minor soft-tissue injury (back in a few days).
- Seth McLaughlin is getting all the starting center practice reps right now.
- Isiah Pacheco (MCL sprain) should be ready for the regular season.
- Sione Vaki looks good (eye healing, no shield at practice).
- Devin Cochran is a new concern (left practice early, unknown issue).
- Avonte Maddox was missing from practice with no explanation.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Who is the starting center for Week 1 right now?
Nobody knows for sure! It’s a competition between Juice Scruggs (when healthy) and Seth McLaughlin. McLaughlin is getting the practice reps today because Scruggs is hurt.
2. Is Isiah Pacheco going to miss the season?
No. Coach Campbell explicitly said he’s not concerned about Pacheco’s Week 1 availability. It’s an MCL sprain, which usually takes a few weeks to heal.
3. What is a "soft-tissue injury" (Juice Scruggs)?
It means an injury to a muscle, tendon, or ligament (like a strain or pull), not a broken bone. These are usually shorter-term than fractures.
4. Why was Josh Dobbs not doing team drills?
He just signed with the team. He needs time to learn the playbook and build chemistry before jumping into live team drills. He threw on the side to stay sharp.
5. What does "PUP List" mean for Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch?
PUP = Physically Unable to Perform. They started camp on this list because they’re recovering from previous injuries (knee for Joseph, Achilles for Branch). They count against the roster limit but cannot practice until activated.