Help is on the horizon for the Detroit Lions offensive line. The unit has struggled through two games so far, as QB Jared Goff has faced the 10th most pressures (28) in the league, per NextGen Stats. Detroit signed Cade Mays in the offseason to be the starting center, but a wrist injury took him off the field in early August.
Juice Scruggs has done okay in relief, but he won't hold up for a full season. Luckily for the Lions, Mays could be back by the middle of October. If he returns after the bye in week six, Mays' first two games will be at home against the Packers and the Vikings.
Cade Mays could return at the perfect time for the Lions
If all goes well, the Lions will be 3-2 after the bye, as they should be able to win at least two out of the next three games against the Jets, Panthers and Cardinals, respectively. Although, the Jets could have one of the best defenses in the league, and the Panthers offense has scored 71 points in two games, so it's no guarantee.
Detroit could certainly use Mays once the Packers come to town on Oct. 25. It could be the first game back for all-pro EDGE Micah Parsons, and his return would give the entire Green Bay defense a boost. In 2025, Parsons recorded 3.5 sacks and nine total tackles in his two matchups with the Lions. Additionally, the Packers are No. 3 in the NFL in terms of pressure rate (45.6%).
If Mays is back at center, Scruggs would be back in the mix at guard, and the offensive line would look better as a unit.
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The Vikings (49.4%) are one of two teams ranked ahead of Green Bay in pressure rate (Las Vegas Raiders - 50%). OLB Dallas Turner has been a standout for Minnesota this season, and he set a career high in pressures (10) to go with two sacks against the Bears in week two.
Defensive guru Brian Flores is the coordinator for the Vikings, and he is one of the best the NFL has ever seen at generating pressure. Minnesota went 2-0 against the Lions last season, and it had five sacks in each game. Without a fully healthy offensive line, that number would only increase.
The Lions also need Mays back for the sake of the running game. Jahmyr Gibbs had 52 rushing yards on 16 carries (3.3 average) against the Bills, and it's not good enough if the Lions plan on making any noise in 2026. Both the Packers (9th) and the Vikings (15th) rank in the top half of the league in rushing yards allowed per game.
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