The Detroit Lions opened the 2026 season with a 31-30 overtime win over the New Orleans Saints, but the win came with a concerning injury to starting left guard Christian Mahogany.

Mahogany, 25, started on Sunday after entering training camp in competition with Ben Bartch for the left guard position. The third-year offensive lineman from Boston College was injured during Detroit's second offensive possession while running downfield to block on a running back Jahmyr Gibbs run. Mahogany fell awkwardly and immediately grabbed at his left knee.

He remained on the field for several minutes before walking off under his own power. After being evaluated on the sideline, he was taken to the locker room and initially listed as questionable to return with a knee injury. He was ultimately ruled out during the second half.

Following the game, head coach Dan Campbell provided a murky update on Mahogany, saying the Lions received some initial good news on the 25-year-old but that he is still not “out of the woods” yet, while indicating that the injury could be more of a hip ailment than a knee ailment.

The timing is particularly important because Detroit faces the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football on Sept. 17, giving Mahogany only a short turnaround after Sunday's injury.

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If Mahogany cannot play, Bartch would be the next option at left guard. Bartch replaced Mahogany against New Orleans and played the rest of the game. He had split first-team practice repetitions with Mahogany last week after missing part of training camp while recovering from Lisfranc surgery.

Bartch also had a holding penalty in the fourth quarter that pushed the Lions back from inside the Saints' 5-yard line. Detroit settled for a field goal on that possession before New Orleans rallied to tie the game.

The Lions are already dealing with another offensive-line absence. Starting center Cade Mays is on injured reserve with a broken wrist and is expected to miss at least the first four games. Mays can become eligible to return for Detroit's Oct. 11 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. Juice Scruggs started at center against the Saints after moving from guard following Mays' injury.

Mahogany also missed six games last season after suffering a fractured fibula in the Lions' Week 9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.