After some scary news on Thursday surrounding one of the Detroit Lions‘ most important offensive linemen, Saturday brought some much-needed relief to worried fans. Graham Glasgow, the team’s starting center, was seen on the sidelines of Detroit’s final preseason game against the Texans on Saturday. He was not dressed for the game — though none of the Lions’ other expected starters dressed either — and was sporting a compression sleeve on his left leg.
Moreover, Justin Rogers reports that Glasgow’s injury is not serious and shouldn’t be a long-term concern. Specifically, he described it as a “minor issue.” That is certainly the best possible scenario, and I’m not sure even the most optimistic Lions fans would have predicted this after Glasgow was carted off the field on Thursday.
Additionally, the Lions announced they have released OL Keaton Sutherland from the Reserve/Injured list with an injury settlement. The move is likely unrelated, however, as Sutherland was already on IR due to an injury suffered during training camp.
Graham Glasgow is an Integral Piece of the Detroit Lions’ Offensive Line
Rey del Rio/GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 16: Graham Glasgow #60 of the Detroit Lions huddles with the offense during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Ford Field on December 16, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
On Thursday, I expressed concern that the Lions’ offensive line could fall apart without Glasgow. The retirement of longtime Detroit center Frank Ragnow this offseason meant that Glasgow had to slide over from his left guard spot, where he started last season. The Lions don’t have many options at center behind Glasgow, with former undrafted free agents Kingsley Eguakun and Trystan Colton the only other centers on the roster.
Not only did Ragnow retire this offseason, but starting right guard Kevin Zeitler departed for Tennessee in free agency. LT Taylor Decker and RT Penei Sewell still form the best tackle duo in the league, but there are a lot of moving pieces and new faces on the interior. Rookie second-rounder Tate Ratledge won the competition at right guard and 2024 sixth-rounder Christian Mahogany won it at left guard.
The Lions Look to Repeat as the NFC’s No. 1 Seed
The Detroit Lions were arguably the best regular-season team in the NFL last year, with a 15-2 record that matched the Chiefs for tops in the league. They fell short in the playoffs, however, losing to the upstart Washington Commanders in the divisional round, a year after losing in the NFC Championship game. The Eagles went on to win the Super Bowl out of the NFC last year, and they’re the prohibitive favorites to emerge from the conference again this season.
However, the Lions still feel they are among the league’s elite, and they won’t let their top overall seed go without a fight. Detroit plays in the NFL’s toughest division, one that sported three playoff teams a year ago, and Chicago could push to make it four this year. The NFC is loaded overall, with 13 of its 16 teams having a shot to make a playoff push, at least on paper. If the Lions are to replicate their success last regular season and make a stronger playoff run this time, it’ll take a lot of work to get there.
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