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Lions Latest Roster Move Places Immense Pressure on Juice Scruggs
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- Lions Latest Roster Move Places Immense Pressure on Juice Scruggs
The Detroit Lions acquired Juice Scruggs in the David Montgomery trade with the Houston Texans this offseason, and Scruggs is set to have a more prominent role than initially expected on the team's offensive line as Week 1 nears.
With Cade Mays being placed on injured reserve with a wrist injury, Scruggs will be the starting center for the Lions for at least the first four weeks of the season. Mays hasn't practiced since early August, and his initial timetable for return was eight to 10 weeks.
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Scruggs has eight games of starting experience at center since entering the league in 2023, and Detroit needs him to provide solid play until Mays is back, especially after the roster move they made on Wednesday.
Lions Waive Seth McLaughlin , Placing More Pressure on Scruggs
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Juice Scruggs (70) after practice during mini camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
The Lions announced on Wednesday that they are waiving center Seth McLaughlin and running back Jabari Small. Both players were dealing with injuries during the final week of preseason, so Detroit could bring them back to the practice squad if they are healthy now.
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Regardless, McLaughlin being waived means Scruggs is currently the only center on the active roster, though Tate Ratledge also took reps at the spot in camp . The Lions are putting a lot of trust in a player who posted a 45.0 Pro Football Focus grade in 351 snaps last season and allowed five sacks and 25 quarterback pressures in a starting role on the interior in 2024.
At this point, Detroit has left itself with no solid backup plan if Scruggs struggles and is a clear liability on the offensive line. The Lions need the Penn State product to be at his best for the first couple of games, and keep the offensive line steady as Mays recovers.
Detroit will finally kick off the season on Sept. 13 at home against the New Orleans Saints . That'll be Scruggs' first test, and the contest is one of the biggest games of his career, as the Lions should have him on a short leash.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
