As the Detroit Lions return from their bye week for an NFC North showdown against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, they will be healthier than they have been all season. That could not come at a better time, with the 4-2 Packers and undefeated Minnesota Vikings on the schedule for the next two weeks amid a competitive NFC North race.
One positive development from head coach Dan Campbell earlier in the week involved the season debuts, barring a shocking turn of events, of center Cade Mays (broken right wrist) and safety Brian Branch (torn Achilles) in Sunday's game against the Packers.
During an appearance on 97.1 The Ticket, Campbell appeared to make the final decision regarding the center position and whether the Lions would rotate Mays and Juice Scruggs or just go with the former for the starting role.
"We really worked the heck out of Cade yesterday," Campbell said, per Lions beat writer Mike Payton (h/t A to Z Sports). "He got some quality reps, and we would like to give him a go here and not make that move... But yeah, we'd like to just rip this Band-Aid off of Cade. I thought he had some good work yesterday. I thought he looked pretty good."
The status of Scruggs was one of the most burning questions coming out of the bye week on this Lions team, given how impressive he has been in Mays' absence. That said, the Lions signed Mays to a three-year, $25 million deal in free agency, and he was Detroit's biggest signing of the offseason, so it makes perfect sense that Campbell would roll with Mays on Sunday.
Dan Campbell going with Cade Mays for Week 7 showdown with Packers
Considering what the Lions spent on Mays, it is no surprise whatsoever that he is going to assume starting duties for a pivotal divisional game against Green Bay. Scruggs' performance so far should count for something, but it is hard to envision a starting spot on this roster for him unless they potentially swap him with Christian Mahogany at left guard.
That is not even a guarantee when you think of how well Mahogany and Tate Ratledge have played, which in turn takes away starting opportunities from someone like Scruggs, who does not play tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, Scruggs has the second-best overall grade (75.6) out of 35 qualified centers, in addition to the 14th-ranked pass-blocking grade (65.4) and the top-ranked run-blocking grade (83.8).
While a trade for Scruggs is not out of the question, this could work out for the better in the Motor City by giving the Lions a proven option to turn to if Mays plays poorly. Even if he performs well, Scruggs would give the Lions a backup who is more than capable of filling in for Mays again if the opportunity arises.
This is still a Lions team that is right in the thick of the NFC North race despite a 3-2 start. The defense has held them back with a combined 73 points allowed in the two losses, but this offense is tied for the most points scored per game (32.8). The offensive line, meanwhile, has allowed 11 sacks to quarterback Jared Goff, which is well below the league-high 24 the Browns have surrendered to QB Deshaun Watson.
That is all with Mays sidelined, as Goff has gone on to put up MVP-caliber numbers with 12 TDs and zero interceptions through Detroit's first five games. Still, that was without Mays being on the field, and he has been strong in pass-blocking and moving defenders at least five yards downfield with his athletic upside when he has been fully healthy in his young career.
The decision to go with Mays is a logical one for Campbell after signing him in the offseason, but it does pose some questions as he returns from an injury that has kept him out of action for nearly a third of the season. Having Scruggs as a potential backup to turn to could prove extremely beneficial, though, and make this a potential win-win situation if Mays returns to form.
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