The Detroit Lions made their final offensive-line contingency moves before Thursday night’s game in Buffalo, elevating tackle Devin Cochran and center Seth McLaughlin from the practice squad while starting right tackle Blake Miller and left guard Christian Mahogany remained out.
Detroit also signed defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike from the practice squad to the active roster. The moves were announced hours before kickoff and gave the Lions additional game-day depth after a short week forced them to reshuffle two spots on the offensive line.
What changed after Detroit ruled out Miller and Mahogany
FSN previously reported that the Lions ruled out Miller and Mahogany for Thursday night against Buffalo. At that point, the central question was how Detroit would build enough depth behind its replacement starters.
Thursday’s roster moves provided that answer. Cochran and McLaughlin were elevated for the game, giving Detroit two additional offensive linemen available behind the reworked starting group. The Lions’ official inactive report indicated veterans Larry Borom and Ben Bartch were expected to handle the open starting jobs.
The elevations do not change who Detroit lost. They change how much protection the Lions have behind the replacements if another injury or in-game adjustment becomes necessary.
Cochran and McLaughlin give Detroit more flexibility
Cochran’s elevation gives the Lions another tackle option on a night when Miller is unavailable. McLaughlin adds interior depth and can help Detroit cover multiple combinations if the team has to move players between center and guard.
That versatility matters because offensive-line injuries are rarely isolated to one snap count. If a replacement starter has to leave the game, Detroit needs enough active linemen to avoid forcing a player into an unfamiliar position with no backup plan.
The Lions also benefit from carrying additional offensive linemen under the NFL’s game-day roster rules. Having enough linemen active allows a team to dress an extra player, making the elevations useful both as injury protection and as a way to preserve the full game-day roster.
Levi Onwuzurike returns to the active roster
Detroit also moved Onwuzurike from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. The veteran defensive lineman had been released earlier in September and then brought back on the practice squad, allowing the Lions to keep him in the organization while managing the active roster.
Thursday’s promotion puts him back on the active roster and made him available against Buffalo. That move is separate from the offensive-line issue, but it gives Detroit another experienced defensive-line option for a game expected to test both teams’ depth on a short week.
ESPN’s transaction log also lists Onwuzurike as signed to Detroit’s active roster on September 17, confirming the move beyond the team’s game-day announcement.
The Lions still have to make the new line function
Extra depth does not eliminate the challenge created by losing two starters. Detroit’s offense still has to manage new combinations against a Buffalo defense that can create pressure with multiple fronts and force communication across the line.
The Lions can help the replacement group with quicker throws, chip help and protection calls that reduce the amount of space tackles and guards have to defend. But those adjustments can also limit the offense’s ability to hold the ball for deeper concepts.
The elevations give Detroit options if the first plan does not hold. That is especially important on a Thursday night road game, when there is little practice time available to rehearse every possible lineup.
Detroit also got positive news in the secondary
The final inactive list included a separate positive development: cornerback D.J. Reed was active after being listed questionable with a foot injury. FSN had previously covered Reed being added to Detroit’s Week 2 injury report.
Having Reed available reduces the number of emergency changes Detroit has to make on defense while the offense deals with its line reshuffle. Defensive back Christian Izien was also active after missing Week 1 with a groin injury.
What to watch against Buffalo
The first question is whether Borom and Bartch can stabilize the starting group without forcing Detroit to use Cochran or McLaughlin extensively. The second is how quickly the Lions turn to the elevated linemen if the offense struggles with protection or suffers another injury.
Onwuzurike’s role is also worth watching after his return to the 53-man roster. His snap count will show whether Detroit viewed the promotion as a depth move or an indication that it wanted a larger veteran presence in the defensive-line rotation.
Detroit entered Thursday knowing Miller and Mahogany would not play. By kickoff, the Lions had made the roster moves needed to protect against the next problem rather than simply hoping the replacement starters could handle every snap.
Sources
- Detroit Lions: Week 2 inactives and roster context vs. Bills (September 17, 2026)
- NFL Trade Rumors: Lions sign Levi Onwuzurike, elevate Devin Cochran and Seth McLaughlin (September 17, 2026)
- ESPN: Detroit Lions 2026 transactions (accessed September 17, 2026)