You really can't make this up: rookie tackle Blake Miller, who was known for having never missed a practice for Clemson, will be missing his first NFL game in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, the Detroit Lions announced today.
The Lions, who are unfortunately notorious for having some pretty tough injury luck in the last few seasons, will also be without Christian Mahogany at left guard for this game. D.J. Reed is also listed as questionable for Thursday Night Football with a foot injury.
Miller being out forces the Lions to likely start Larry Borom, who had been competing with Miller for the starting right tackle job this season.
Lions' injury luck continues its hot streak by taking down Miller, Mahogany
Miller had played really well in his NFL debut, helping the Lions' offensive line to only allow one sack and four pressures on Jared Goff against a vaunted New Orleans Saints defensive line. But, losing him throws another wrench into the Lions' attempt to find any sort of consistency in their trenches.
This directly impacts their run game, as well as their ability to fully utilize the weapons at Goff's disposal. Gibbs managed to rush for 156 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints, with an average of over five yards per carry, but we know how much he struggled to find consistent running room last season with a similarly injured offensive line.
READ MORE: Lions defenders explain how they plan to keep Josh Allen in check for Week 2
Borom finished up his most recent season with the Miami Dolphins, posting a 60.7 overall PFF grade on offense. He gave up two sacks in 2025 in addition to 10 quarterback hurries.
All reports from Lions camp suggested that Borom had been looking spry and like a legitimate threat to Miller's ability to start for Detroit, but Miller was just too good of a prospect to bench.
Borom, at the end of the day, was a depth signing that Detroit probably wasn't hoping to have to rely on so early in the year. But, here we are.
Left guard room thinning with Mahogany injury
On the other side of this report is Mahogany being out, which might not necessarily be as bad as Miller's absence against the Bills. Mahogany, while full of promise, has struggled with injuries and consistency in his three years with the Lions. Ben Bartch, who will presumably start at left guard in this game, looked decent in relief of Mahogany against the Saints in Week 1.
Bartch and Mahogany had planned on battling for the starting job, anyway, so this injury allows Bartch some serious reps to prove that he should be their LG1 over Mahogany once he's healthy, anyway. It certainly forces Detroit's hand on another 2024 draft pick that they just can't seem to let go of.
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