Lions coach Dan Campbell sees progress in offensive line after preseason loss

During the Detroit Lions' preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, the team's offensive line faced scrutiny as questions about the starting five remain unresolved. Coach Dan Campbell, speaking on Saturday, offered a mixed assessment of the unit's performance. He noted that when the line executed its fundamentals correctly and worked together, the run game was effective and "pretty." However, he acknowledged inconsistencies, particularly in pass protection, where some players struggled to anchor against stronger defenders.

A key focus of the game was the performance of rookie right tackle Blake Miller, a first-round pick who started and drew praise from Campbell for his consistency and demeanor. Campbell has been bullish on Miller throughout training camp, and his showing in the preseason game did not change that. At center, second-year player Seth McLaughlin started in place of Cade Mays, who suffered a wrist injury last week and is expected to miss significant time. McLaughlin, who has never played in an NFL regular-season game, impressed Campbell with his quickness and ability to play low, though Campbell noted that his lack of size means he must work harder in pass protection. Michael Niese took over at center later in the game, and veteran Juice Scruggs, who returned to practice on Saturday after a soft tissue injury, is also competing for the job.

At left guard, Christian Mahogany, who started 11 games last season, faces competition from veteran Ben Bartch, who also returned from injury on Saturday. Campbell emphasized the need for consistency, noting that Mahogany sometimes gets "a little out of sorts" in pass protection. With two preseason games remaining, Campbell has time to evaluate the options and determine the best five starters. He described the competition as an "ongoing battle," indicating that no decisions have been finalized. The team's offensive line will be crucial for protecting the quarterback and establishing the run game in the upcoming regular season.