Detroit Lions first-round pick Blake Miller gained a reputation at Clemson for being an iron man. In three years in college, he didn’t miss a single game, starting 54 consecutive contests.
When the Lions’ injury report dropped on Monday, it appeared Miller’s NFL streak could be broken after just one game. With only a walkthrough practice, Miller was estimated as a non-participant with a knee injury. And with Detroit on a short week—scheduled to play the Bills on the road this Thursday—it could be too quick of a turnaround to make the field.
However, the rookie right tackle spoke with the media after practice and sounded more optimistic about his chances of playing due to progress already made on Monday.
“I’m doing everything I humanly can to get my body feeling the best it can feel. Even with the progress just today that I’ve made, I’m happy, and I’m optimistic,” Miller said.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said it was possible Miller could play vs. the Bills, but he was a little more cautious in his optimism.
“It’s really tough to say. We’re going to know a lot more tomorrow,” Campbell said. “I mean, we really will. It’s really hard to say.”
Miller didn’t point to a single play or moment in the game in which he suffered the injury. He noted, rather, that there was a moment on the sidelines where something felt “weird,” and when the adrenaline wore off after he had gone home, he started to feel it more.
So Miller was proactive about it. He came in “as early as I could” to start working on the rehab and “nip this in the bud.”
If Miller can’t go, the Lions do have veteran Larry Borom to step into the role. Borom has 38 starts in his five-year NFL career, including 11 starts last year for the Dolphins.
Elsewhere, it sounds like it’s less likely that starting left guard Christian Mahogany will play this week. Campbell acknowledged that his injury should not be considered serious or long-term, but his chances of playing are worse than Miller’s.
“I don’t think this is something serious long-term, but it could be tough to get him ready for Thursday,” Campbell said.
In Mahogany’s place, the Lions played Ben Bartch for over three quarters on Sunday. Campbell said the veteran guard needed to knock off some rust against the Saints, but he’s confident in him moving forward.
“I thought there was some real good and there was some that wasn’t so good. Just inconsistent, a little rusty, which I wouldn’t say was that abnormal,” Campbell said. “I mean, he got a few reps, he got that last week, and so he’s only going to be better as we keep going here. He’s played; he’s a veteran in this league, and the good was really good, and I anticipate that’s what we’re going to see a lot more of moving forward.”
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