The Detroit Lions lost center Cade Mays to a wrist injury in early August. Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters on August 10 the projected starting center would miss a “significant period of time.”
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport provided a few more specific details. Rapoport reported Mays fractured a small bone in his wrist and would be out 8-10 weeks.
Days before the roster cutdown deadline, a reporter asked Campbell if there was any clearer timetable on when Mays might be ready to return. The head coach gave a very brief non-update, update.
“No,” said Campbell.
The Lions signed Mays in NFL free agency during March. The veteran center received a 3-year, $25 million deal.
It was the most expensive contract the Lions agreed to during this past offseason.
Dan Campbell Doesn’t Have Clearer Picture on Cade Mays Return
Whether or not no update on Mays is a good update depends on one’s perspective. If Mays is still targeting an 8-10 week absence, then he hasn’t suffered a setback.
But without a doubt, he will miss the early portion of the regular season.
It’s important to note that Campbell has never provided the 8-10 week recovery timeline publicly. So while Lions fans can expect Mays will miss that length of time because of Rapoport’s report, it has yet to be 100% confirmed.
The good news is Mays will be four weeks into his recovery before the Lions play their Week 1 matchup. The Lions also have an earlier bye this season during Week 6.
If he’s out for about 10 weeks, Mays could be ready to return for the Week 7 matchup against the Green Bay Packers on October 25. In that scenario, Mays would miss five games.
Mays spent the first four seasons of his career with the Carolina Panthers. The team selected him at No. 199 overall in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
He played 11 games as a rookie, starting two of them. He slowly began playing more with each season in Carolina.
Last year, he started 12 of 14 games for the Panthers.
Other Lions Injuries Entering Pivotal Weekend
Unfortunately, the Lions are dealing with quite a few injuries entering the final weekend of the preseason.
Campbell shared with reporters Thursday that he also didn’t have a definitive update on running back Isiah Pacheco. Another free agent signee, Pacheco has been out with a knee injury, but the Lions head coach revealed to reporters he has a back issue that’s now the bigger concern.
It sounded as though Campbell and the team’s coaching staff might have a decision to make with Pacheco this weekend. The same will definitely be the case with safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch.
“We’re going to start kind of meeting this afternoon after all this and start going through it,” Campbell said. “So, I’m not going to be able to give you a definitive answer right now.
“But those guys are doing well.”
The Lions have to cut their roster to 53 players by 6 pm ET on Sunday. Joseph, Branch and/or Pacheco could all be candidates to begin the season on the PUP list. If they do, though, they won’t be able to practice or play until the end of Week 4.
Campbell concluded saying Thursday edge rushers Derrick Moore and Ahmed Hassanein are also out at practice. But the head coach sounded optimistic at least Moore would be able to return to practice next week.
Lions’ Dan Campbell Delivers Just 1-Word Injury Update on Expensive Free Agent