The Detroit Lions were back in pads on Sunday, slowly ramping things back up in their 13th training camp practice of the 2026 preseason.
A couple of unexpected absences popped up at Sunday's practice, but we also saw some injured players return, like Juice Scruggs and Derrick Moore. The pair took to the field in pads for the first time as they continue to build back up after soft-tissue injuries.
Because this was Scruggs' first practice in pads, the Lions appear like they want to keep his acclimation tempered a bit. He started most "team" series—save the final few—but at the halfway point, Scruggs went to the sidelines. That decision let the offensive line adjust its interior combination and test other options.
When Scruggs exited, Tate Ratledge stepped in at center with Christian Mahogany shifting from left to right guard to accommodate for Ben Bartch at left guard. With this combination, they could see where Ratledge is at in his development at center, make room for Bartch to get reps with the first team, and give Mahogany some looks from the right side.
The difference between the two combinations was drastic. When Scruggs was at center, the offensive line looked solid, but when they shifted to Ratledge inside, they appeared more vulnerable to blitzes, and Ratledge botched at least two snaps. While the second combination arguably puts the Lions' five most talented linemen on the field at the same time, the cohesion was clearly absent, illustrating how important it is to find the "right" combination and "fit."
#ratledge
A couple of unexpected absences popped up at Sunday's practice, but we also saw some injured players return, like Juice Scruggs and Derrick Moore. The pair took to the field in pads for the first time as they continue to build back up after soft-tissue injuries.
Because this was Scruggs' first practice in pads, the Lions appear like they want to keep his acclimation tempered a bit. He started most "team" series—save the final few—but at the halfway point, Scruggs went to the sidelines. That decision let the offensive line adjust its interior combination and test other options.
When Scruggs exited, Tate Ratledge stepped in at center with Christian Mahogany shifting from left to right guard to accommodate for Ben Bartch at left guard. With this combination, they could see where Ratledge is at in his development at center, make room for Bartch to get reps with the first team, and give Mahogany some looks from the right side.
The difference between the two combinations was drastic. When Scruggs was at center, the offensive line looked solid, but when they shifted to Ratledge inside, they appeared more vulnerable to blitzes, and Ratledge botched at least two snaps. While the second combination arguably puts the Lions' five most talented linemen on the field at the same time, the cohesion was clearly absent, illustrating how important it is to find the "right" combination and "fit."
#ratledge
4 days ago
