The Detroit Lions have rounded out their 53-man roster once again, bringing center Seth McLaughlin up from the practice squad ahead of Week 3 against the New York Jets.
In addition to that move, the team also placed linebacker Joe Bachie on the practice squad, and signed safety Bishop Fitzgerald off the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad. That last signing comes at a great time, as Thomas Harper hasn't practiced due to injury this week, and with Avonte Maddox hitting the IR.
McLaughlin's elevation is interesting, as the team isn't necessarily wanton for help at center right now. But, it does make sense as some sort of insurance with Juice Scruggs a potential candidate to move to left guard.
McLaughlin could be Scruggs' replacement at center
Scruggs has been...fine, at center. Obviously, the team has to be clamoring to get Cade Mays back, as he had such a solid season with the Carolina Panthers in 2025 and was arguably the Lions' most important free agency signing. But, he's been completely servicable, and that's more than you can say about Graham Glasgow's tenure there last year.
Of course, with Christian Mahogany back at practice this week, elevating McLaughlin could mean that the Lions are going back to their original plan of rotating at left guard between Mahogany and a backup. Ben Bartch didn't practice to start this week ahead of the teams' Jets game, so Scruggs could be their go-to left guard behind Mahogany.
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This feels a little risky, though. Again, Scruggs has been fine. He has a PFF grade of 61.4 this season so far, good for 17th overall amongst centers in the league. He wasn't the Lions' biggest issue in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills - that was more a lack of Blake Miller issue.
To then take Scruggs out of his groove and throw him in at guard, and to place McLaughlin in at center against a tough-nosed Jets defensive line, feels short-sighted. Obviously, if Mahogany gets hurt again or is on a certain snap count, there's nothing we can do about this plan. But, it's scary to think about with New York's defense being so spry.
Scruggs was not very good at guard last season - with most of his snaps there with the Houston Texans in 2025, he posted a 40.5 run-blocking grade and a 57.7 pass protection grade. He's stepped up in a big way for the Lions this year, but asking him to take back over at guard because of Mahogany's injuries and shortcomings feels like a bit too much.
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