The Detroit Lions open their 2026 training camp on Wednesday, and on Tuesday, their veterans reported to the team’s Allen Park training facility. As players rejoin the team, it’s common for the team to make a few last-minute transactions in preparation for camp. Earlier in the week, we saw the Lions place three players on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, and on Tuesday, they placed Christian Mahogany on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list, Christian Izien on the Non-Football Illness (NFI) list, and released
veteran nose tackle Jay Tufele.
If you’re not familiar with the difference between the lists, which list a player lands on is based on where they were injured and the type of injury. If a player was hurt while participating in an activity directly related to the NFL (games, practices, workouts, etc.), they land on the PUP list. If a player was injured in a non-NFL activity (which can include private workouts or in their personal life), they land on the NFI (injury) list. If a player is dealing with an illness (which can range from having the flu or Mononucleosis—like Mahogany had as a rookie—or even more serious illnesses), they land in the NFI (illness) category.
These lists also have some similarities as well. Like with the PUP list, placing a player on either NFI list at this stage does not require them to miss any games. They are restricted from practicing while on the injury lists, but players are also eligible to be removed from any of these lists at any time if a team believes a player is healthy enough to begin practicing. However, if a player remains on any of the lists through roster cutdowns, they will be forced to miss the first four games of the regular season.
Mahogany returns to Detroit this season expecting to work to retain his starting left guard job, so any absence will certainly hinder his ability to compete for that role. While he is out, look for either veteran Ben Bartch, second-year lineman Miles Frazier, or recently traded-for Juice Scruggs to try to seize the opportunity in front of them.
Izien joined the Lions this offseason and was working with the starting safeties in the spring as he was trying to acclimate to the Lions’ scheme quickly, as he was also expected to compete for a starting role with Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph on the PUP list. While Izien misses time, Thomas Harper and Avonte Maddox, along with veteran Chuck Clark, should have great opportunities to get into the starting rotation at practice.
Ideally, we will get an update on the statuses of the injured players on Wednesday at coach Dan Campbell’s press conference ahead of the Lions’ first training camp practice.
