Ratledge Shifts to Center as Our Lions Reshuffle the Offensive Line

The offensive line shuffle is in full swing in Detroit, and the Lions are getting creative up front after that 9-8 finish! Tate Ratledge, the second-year right guard and former second-round pick, shifted over to center after the team's first preseason game — and that's the move worth watching. Cade Mays went down with a wrist injury that could sideline him for most of the season, so the dominoes started falling. Christian Mahogany, who's been competing at left guard, moved to the right side, while Ben Bartch stepped in to get work with the first team at left guard. Detroit even tried Juice Scruggs at center, and with nearly 600 career snaps there back in 2024, he knows the position. Seth McLaughlin, a former UDFA, got the start in the preseason opener but ended up playing zero snaps with the second team. Meanwhile the tackle spots are set: left tackle is locked down, Penei Sewell is switching sides, and rookie Blake Miller appears to have a grasp of the starting right tackle job. The interior is where this whole thing gets decided.