After being pulled from the starting lineup in Week 9 for a “rules violation,” Christian Mahogany is set to return to his starting left guard spot in Week 10, according to Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell.
“Mahogany is going to go out there (today), and he’s going to start with the first unit,” Campbell said at his Wednesday press conference.
Mahogany’s career got off to a delayed start after contracting mono and missing the first half of his rookie season. In his second year, he won the starting left
guard job but broke his left leg during the season and struggled to find his footing after returning. Now, in year three, Mahogany once again won the starting role at left guard and, with his health issues kept at bay, found his groove and has been excelling—currently ranked the 13th-best guard in the NFL by PFF, including grading inside the top 10 as a pass blocker.
Ahead of Week 9, Mahogany broke an undisclosed team rule and was benched in the Lions game against the Dolphins. Miles Frazier stepped into a starting role and struggled right out of the gate, committing holding penalties, allowing pressure, and failing to generate drive in the run game. He settled in well in the second half, but several of the Lions’ first-half drives stalled or ended early because of the offensive line’s play.
Immediately after the game, Campbell told the media that Mahogany committed a team rule violation, and while he was benched for that game, it “doesn’t mean it stays that way.” On Monday, Campbell said the two had discussed the matter and that “we’re good” moving forward, adding that it’s now up to Mahogany to show he can put this mistake behind him.
In addition to disclosing that Mahogany will return to his starting role, Campbell also shared that “he was good this morning,” suggesting everyone is taking positive steps forward.
