Detroit Lions center Cade Mays will miss a significant period due to a fractured wrist, head coach Dan Campbell announced Monday. The injury is expected to sideline the 27-year-old for approximately 8-10 weeks, according to Ian Rapoport.
Mays, who was signed to a three-year, $25 million contract this offseason, was brought in to bolster a struggling offensive line. He had been a key target for the team after spending four years with the Panthers, where he was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Last season, Mays allowed only one sack and had a 94.3 percent pass block win rate, ranking 20th among qualified centers.
"Of course, you hate it. I hate it for him because I felt like he was having a good camp and he had grown so much in our system just since spring," Campbell said. "In that regard, yeah, and for us, too, but at the same time, there’s a reason why we have Juice [Scruggs] here, too, and some of these other guys and they’re going to get a look."
Campbell added that Mays "will be ready for the playoffs," though the team will need to find immediate solutions to fill the center position. Potential replacements include Scruggs, Seth McLaughlin, and Michael Niese.
"Look, we’re going to find the best five," Campbell stated regarding the offensive line. "We will [identify] the best five and we’re trying to find that before camp starts, but look, if this goes into the season it does, but at some point, we will find the best five and where they belong and they’ll be ready."
In addition to Mays, running back Isiah Pacheco also suffered an MCL sprain and will miss time.
The Lions are scheduled to open their season against the Saints on September 13.