Lions Center Cade Mays Sidelined 8-10 Weeks With Fractured Wrist Bone

Detroit Lions starting center Cade Mays is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks after fracturing a small bone in his wrist during training camp.

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit Lions starting center Cade Mays is expected to miss roughly eight to 10 weeks after fracturing a small bone in his wrist during a recent training camp practice. Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed on Monday, August 10, 2026, that the interior lineman will be sidelined for a significant period of time, though he joked the starter would be ready for the playoffs. The injury occurs as Detroit prepares for its Week 1 home opener against the New Orleans Saints scheduled for September 13.

In addition to the offensive line setback, Campbell announced that running back Isiah Pacheco is currently dealing with an MCL sprain. Despite the diagnosis, the coaching staff expects Pacheco to return to the field before the regular-season opener against the Saints. Campbell stated he is not concerned about the running back's status for the start of the year, noting that the injury will only necessitate a short period of absence compared to the long-term recovery required for his starting center.

Impact on Detroit Offensive Line Depth

Mays joined the Lions as an unrestricted free agent during the offseason to bolster a unit that struggled throughout the previous campaign. The 2022 NFL draft sixth-round selection out of Tennessee previously spent four seasons with the Carolina Panthers. During his final season in Carolina, Mays recorded a 94.3% pass block win rate, which ranked 20th among all qualified NFL centers. He was particularly effective in protection, allowing only one sack over the course of the entire season.

With the starting center unavailable for at least two months, the Lions will evaluate multiple internal candidates to fill the vacancy. Juice Scruggs, Seth McLaughlin, and Michael Niese are the primary players expected to receive repetitions at the position during the remainder of training camp. Campbell emphasized that the team is focused on identifying the best five offensive linemen to start the season, even if the evaluation process extends into the early weeks of the regular schedule.

Coaching Staff Reactions to Roster Shifts

Campbell expressed personal disappointment regarding the timing of the wrist fracture, noting that Mays had shown significant growth in the team's system since spring practices. The coach highlighted that while the injury is a blow to the roster, the presence of Scruggs and other depth players provides the team with options to maintain stability upfront. The Lions targeted Mays specifically to improve their pass protection metrics following last year's performance issues.

Timeline for Return and Season Outlook

While Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the eight-to-10-week recovery window for the fractured bone, the Lions have not officially placed a firm date on Mays' return to the active roster. The team will continue its preparations at the Allen Park facility leading up to the September 13 matchup. The coaching staff remains committed to finding the optimal configuration for the offensive front to protect the quarterback and facilitate the run game as they integrate new personnel into the starting lineup.