The Lions suffered a major injury blow Monday as Cade Mays fractured a bone in his wrist and is expected to miss 8-10 weeks. Detroit also received updates on Isaiah Pacheco and D.J. Reed, and the NFL created a new rule change that could affect the Lions
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell delivered significant injury news Monday, announcing that center Cade Mays suffered a fractured bone in his wrist that is expected to sideline him for roughly eight to 10 weeks, a source said.
Campbell described the injury as “significant,” but Mays is expected to return during the regular season.
The Lions have their bye in Week 6, which would put Mays at approximately the 10-week mark. Assuming his recovery remains on schedule, Detroit could potentially hold him out through the bye and target a return in Week 7 against the Green Bay Packers.
The injury is a tough blow for both Mays and the Lions. It also means Mays is likely to miss Detroit’s Week 4 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, his former team.
Mays signed a three-year, $25 million contract with Detroit on March 9. The deal includes $14 million in guaranteed money and a $6.48 million signing bonus, with an average annual value of $8.33 million through the 2028 season.
With Mays sidelined, Lions center Seth McLaughlin took first-team reps during Monday’s practice.
McLaughlin went undrafted in 2025 after a standout college career at Ohio State. He won the Rimington Trophy in 2024, an award given annually to the nation’s top center.
Campbell also said the Lions will give guard Tate Ratledge some individual reps at center, although he will not take team reps at the position. The goal is to make sure Ratledge is prepared for an emergency situation if another injury occurs.
The Lions currently have Juice Scruggs, Michael Niese and McLaughlin behind Mays on the depth chart at center.
Unfortunately for Detroit, Mays was not the only significant injury announced Monday.
Campbell also revealed that backup running back Isaiah Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain. The injury is not expected to be long term, and Campbell said he expects Pacheco to be ready for the regular-season opener.
That is encouraging news for Detroit, but Pacheco will miss valuable practice time while learning a new offense and adjusting to a new team.
The Lions’ active running backs currently include Jahmyr Gibbs, Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors and recently signed Raheem Blackshear.
Cornerback D.J. Reed is also dealing with a soft-tissue injury. Campbell said he does not believe Reed’s injury is expected to keep him out long term.
NFL Changes Challenge Rule
The Lions will also have a new option available to them this season thanks to a rule change implemented by the NFL for 2026.
Head coaches can now designate a member of their sideline staff to throw the red challenge flag. Teams must notify officials before the game if someone other than the head coach will be responsible for initiating challenges.
Previously, only the head coach could initiate a replay challenge.
While the rule change may seem minor, it could have an impact on Detroit. Campbell has developed a reputation for being aggressive with replay challenges, and there have been instances where he has attempted to challenge plays that were not eligible for review.
Having a designated assistant handle the challenge flag could allow Campbell to remain more focused on the game while another member of the coaching staff monitors potential replay situations.
Mike Kafka could be a candidate for that responsibility. The Lions hired Kafka this offseason as a pass-game coordinator. He also has previous head coaching experience, serving as the New York Giants’ interim head coach last season.
If Detroit chooses to take advantage of the new rule, Kafka could be a logical fit for the role.
