The Detroit Lions’ offensive line hasn’t been able to catch a break in 2025. While it began when Frank Ragnow announced his retirement back in June, it goes beyond the former All-Pro center’s failed attempt at a comeback last week. Several injuries have also depleted the unit, and the Lions have basically been scoring points with one hand tied behind their back as quarterback Jared Goff has been under constant pressure.
With the season winding down and the Lions fighting for a playoff spot, the offensive line could use some positive regression, and they may have gotten it on Wednesday afternoon. According to Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit, Christian Mahogany told reporters on Wednesday that “he hopes to return to the practice field either this week or next” as he recovers from a knee injury, and reserve offensive tackle Giovanni Manu told The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy that he is targeting a return to practice next week.
If both blockers make their return in the coming weeks, it could be a big development for the Lions and could help them earn a playoff spot over the final four weeks.
Potential OL Reinforcements Are Arriving at Perfect Time for Lions
Mahogany was starting on the offensive line at the time of the injury but has been out since getting hurt in the final moments of a Week 9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions have turned to Kayode Awosika, and the results have been disastrous as the reserve allowed 10 pressures and three sacks on 149 pass blocking snaps before injuring his foot in a Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers.
While Trystan Colon has tried to fill in at left guard, he has also had a rough time, allowing four pressures on 24 pass-blocking snaps against the Dallas Cowboys. Part of the problem was solved when Graham Glasgow returned from a knee injury, but the Lions were beginning to run out of bodies to fill the roles, which is where Manu’s return should also help.
Manu has not taken off for the Lions in his second year out of the University of British Columbia, but he is a player who could start in a pinch and made a Week 5 start against the Cincinnati Bengals that starter Taylor Decker missed with a shoulder injury. With Manu looking to be the left tackle, it provides some insurance in case Decker isn’t ready to go and gives him an unforeseen opportunity if he’s called upon.
Collectively, it’s good news for a team that’s heading into a four-game stretch that will determine whether they’ll make the playoffs or sit at home, and it could help the Lions gain back some of their physicality that had been lacking due to injury.