At the beginning of training camp in July, the Detroit Lions found out that they would be without rookie offensive lineman Miles Frazier, who reportedly sustained a knee injury.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters at the time that the rookie lineman’s timetable to return would be in September or October. Fast forward months later, and we’re now at the point where we should have some new information on the former LSU guard.
Campbell met with the media on Monday, via Pride of Detroit, and revealed that Frazier isn’t quite improving as fast as they expected. However, the Lions' head coach added that he believes Detroit has a chance to get him back this season.
Frazier Still Not Ready to Return After Missing Training Camp with Injury
While it’s disappointing to hear that Frazier isn’t ready yet, as he missed all of training camp and preseason, it's somewhat comforting to hear Campbell is still holding out hope.
There hasn’t been much reported on Frazier’s injury outside of what he heard back in July, followed by the Lions placing the rookie on the PUP list. Detroit likely didn’t have huge plans for Frazier as a rookie, given what they already have at the starting guard spots.
However, if Frazier was healthy, the former LSU standout could’ve been in the mix to compete for a backup guard or tackle spot on the 53-man roster. Instead, it allowed for Trystan Colon and Kayode Awosika to make their case on why they should be on the 53-man roster or practice squad.
Coming out of LSU, the 6-foot-5, 324-pound Frazier only allowed 29 quarterback pressures, 22 quarterback hurries, four sacks, and three QB hits across three seasons.
Frazier has good footwork and quickness, which is something you need whether playing inside at guard or outside at tackle. When it comes to run blocking, the former LSU lineman does a good job of getting defenders out of the gap as well.
If you’re the Lions, these are the skills that you wish you could work to mold the young lineman into a contributor at the NFL level, but due to injury, it's being put on hold. Detroit hopes this season is not a wash for the rookie, as that will just put him behind the 8-ball heading into 2026.