You really don't know what you have until it's gone. For as much of a mixed bag as Detroit Lions guard Christian Mahogany has been in his first season as a starter, he's been sorely missed the past few weeks. It appears the wait for his return won't be much longer.
Mahogany has missed the past month after breaking his leg in the Lions' Week 9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. This week, head coach Dan Campbell announced that the team plans to open up Mahogany's practice clock this week, opening the door for an 11th-hour return. Campbell was asked on Monday about Mahogany's progress:
"We'll probably try to get him some work this week. I don't know. A lot of it is going to be 'What does he look like this week?' Honestly, I don't expect a lot right now this week, you know, but I do think he's starting to feel good enough to work him into practice."
Even though Mahogany won't play on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, it's an exciting update for him and for the Lions' highly criticized OL going forward. Kayode Awosika and Trystan Colon have filled in the LG starting slot. Neither guard has been able to match Mahogany's quality run-blocking, and both have given up pressures at an alarming rate.
On last Thursday's victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Colon, who was starting in place of the injured Awosika, was benched early in the game after allowing a staggering four pressures on seven dropbacks. Colon returned in the second quarter and performed significantly better for the remainder of the game, including a huge block on one of running back Jahmyr Gibbs' three touchdown runs.
Miles Frazier likely to see some playing time vs. Rams
Colon's first-quarter benching against the Cowboys gave rookie Miles Frazier his first taste of the NFL, after missing a majority of the season with a knee injury. Pro Football Focus may not have been kind to Frazier's performance, grading him at a 23.2, but it was clear the offense began to find its rhythm after the brief switch.
Frazier's three pressures and one QB hit given up aren't ideal, but it isn't unexpected for a rookie making his NFL debut late in a season, and entering under sudden circumstances. With his first game now under his belt, Frazier can now look ahead to Sunday's Rams game, where he'll get a chance to make a great second impression.
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When asked if he "saw enough" to give Frazier the start on Sunday, Campbell hesitated and said it's "Hard to say." Campbell stressed the importance of giving him reps, but added that he'd "love to play him more." Speaking with 97.1 The Ticket on Tuesday, Campbell implied that Frazier and Colon will both see playing time on Sunday.
"I would like to get (Frazier) in this game (on Sunday vs. Rams), get him a couple more reps. You know, let him grow, but I see us using Colon, too."
Whoever will see time at LG on Sunday is going to have their work cut out for them against a strong Rams' defensive line, but both Frazier and Colon had their encouraging signs against the Cowboys. Colon rebounded from a horrid start, and Frazier now has his first game behind him. Both will have to build upon that to keep Jared Goff on his feet and the running backs beyond the line of scrimmage, because if they can't, it's going to be a long Sunday.