Lions center Cade Mays out 8-10 weeks with wrist fracture

Lions center Cade Mays fractured a small bone in his wrist and will miss roughly 8-10 weeks, with Dan Campbell calling the injury significant.

Detroit Lions center Cade Mays fractured a small bone in his wrist during training camp, an injury that will keep him out of the lineup for roughly 8-10 weeks, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Head coach Dan Campbell called the injury "significant" when discussing the timeline. Mays is expected back around midseason, meaning the Lions will have to make do without him for the early portion of the regular season. His absence opens the door for other offensive linemen on the roster to compete for snaps at center during the exhibition slate, and the Lions were already managing several camp injuries along the front.

Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet): #Lions center Cade Mays fractured a small bone in his wrist, an injury that will keep him out roughly 8-10 weeks, source said. Coach Dan Campbell called the injury “significant.” But Mays should be back by midseason, at least.

The 8-10 week timeline puts Mays' return squarely around the middle of the season, so the Lions will lean on their interior-line depth to start the year. With Campbell openly labeling the injury significant, Detroit appears to be planning for an extended absence rather than a quick return, and how the line shakes out in his place will be one of the camp storylines to track as the preseason begins.