According to the daily NFL transaction wire, the Detroit Lions tried out two veteran guards on Thursday: Will Hernandez and Laken Tomlinson.
As of Thursday evening, neither player had signed with Detroit, but it is certainly notable that the team is looking at the guard position. It is likely no coincidence that the Lions are looking at guards on the same day that coach Dan Campbell announced that Ben Bartch—a veteran depth guard—is in concussion protocol and essentially out of the starting left guard competition
for now.
“It’s hard to say that (he can win the starting job),” Campbell said. “It’s real hard to say that over four (remaining) practices or whatever. Doesn’t mean it can’t, but that window is shrinking right now. So, the most important thing is for him to get to where he feels right again and to where he can go. He’s healthy, he feels good and he can start practicing and then we’ll see. But no, I mean, I think that window is closing quickly.”
Beyond Bartch, the Lions don’t have much starting experience behind their projected starters in Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge. Mason Miller and Melvin Priestly have never appeared in an NFL game, while Michael Niese has never made a start in his 26 game appearances.
Hernandez, on the other hand, is a former second-round pick with 98 starts under his belt. He also has extensive experience under new Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, as he played with the Cardinals for the past four years, staring 42 games over that span. However, Hernandez has dealt with injuries the past two seasons. He suffered a torn ACL in 2024, and a hip and knee injury shortened his 2025 season to just seven games.
Tomlinson, who was the Lions’ first-round pick all the way back in 2015, would also bring a boat-load of experience. He’s started 162 games, including seven starts with the Texans last year, but he was released by the team in December. At 34 years old, his best days are behind him, but he would still bring a veteran presence to a very young room.
We’ll see if the Lions make a signing in the next few days.
