The Detroit Lions will be without two starting offensive linemen when they visit the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football tonight. Left guard Christian Mahogany and right tackle Blake Miller are out, cornerback D.J. Reed is questionable with a foot injury, and there were no changes to either team’s report on game day. Buffalo has three players questionable, led by starting safety Cole Bishop, and nobody ruled out. Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. ET at the new Highmark Stadium.
Detroit Lions Injury Report
| Player | Position | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Mahogany | LG | Hip | Out |
| Blake Miller | RT | Knee | Out |
| D.J. Reed | CB | Foot | Questionable |
| Juice Scruggs | C | Limited early in the week | No designation |
Mahogany was hurt 11 plays into the opener against New Orleans and did not return. Miller, the rookie right tackle out of Clemson who never missed a game in college, had a knee issue flare up after his debut. Veteran Larry Borom, who started 11 games at right tackle last season, is expected to start in Miller’s place, and Ben Bartch is expected to start at left guard. Reed was limited Tuesday and Wednesday after not appearing on Monday’s report, and his status will not be settled until inactives; if he cannot go, Detroit loses its best matchup option on DJ Moore after playing 89 snaps in the opener. Center Juice Scruggs practiced fully Wednesday and is expected to start.
Nickel corner Christian Izien, who missed Week 1, is expected to make his season debut. Already on reserve lists: running back Isiah Pacheco (back, roughly 12 weeks) and safeties Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee), both on PUP and eligible to return in Week 5.
Buffalo Bills Injury Report
| Player | Position | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cole Bishop | S | Knee / groin | Questionable |
| Ty Johnson | RB | Hamstring | Questionable |
| T.J. Sanders | DL | Knee / illness | Questionable |
| Terrel Bernard | LB | Calf | No designation (limited Wednesday) |
| Bradley Chubb | OLB | Thumb | No designation |
Bishop, Johnson and Sanders were all limited in Wednesday’s practice. Sanders, a starting defensive lineman, was inactive in Week 1 and was sent home Tuesday with an illness on top of the knee problem, so he is the least likely of the three to play. Johnson has been working back from an August hamstring injury. Bernard was examined during Sunday’s game and was limited all week but carries no game status. Cornerback Jordan Hancock cleared his quad issue with back to back full practices, and DJ Moore was not added to the report after briefly leaving the opener.
What It Means
The Detroit line is the story. Greg Rousseau had two sacks and two forced fumbles against Houston, and Buffalo’s pass rush wins in bursts, which is exactly what punishes a front rotating in backups on a short week. On the Buffalo side, Bishop’s status matters most for a secondary that gave up 31 points to the Texans.
Inactives are in: D.J. Reed and Cole Bishop are both active. Ty Johnson and T.J. Sanders are inactive for Buffalo, and starting defensive tackle Ed Oliver is a surprise scratch after hurting his hip in warmups. Full lists are on the Lions vs. Bills inactives page.
Related
How to watch · Odds · Full NFL Week 2 injury report · NFL standings
The Bottom Line
Detroit is down starting linemen Mahogany and Miller, but D.J. Reed is active. Buffalo has Bishop active, Johnson and Sanders inactive, and lost Ed Oliver to a hip injury in warmups.