The Detroit Lions are set to host the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round on Saturday night at Ford Field, with hopes of advancing to their second consecutive NFC Championship Game. The Lions are heavily favored to win, with a 9.5-point spread and an over/under of 55.5 points.
However, the Lions will face a significant challenge on the offensive line due to an injury to their Pro Bowl guard, Kevin Zeitler. Zeitler sustained a right hamstring injury late in the fourth quarter of their Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He limped off the field and missed the final few plays of the game, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming game, especially given the nature of hamstring injuries, which can often linger.
As of Thursday’s injury report, Zeitler has missed all three practice sessions earlier in the week, and the Lions have officially ruled him out for Saturday’s game. This loss is especially tough for the Lions’ offense, as Zeitler is a key part of their line, and the Commanders boast a strong interior defensive line with stars like Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen.
In Zeitler’s absence, rookie Christian Mahogany will start at right guard. Mahogany, a sixth-round pick, spent the early part of the season recovering from mononucleosis and has since played in seven games, including a start at left guard in Week 16. With this opportunity, Mahogany will have the chance to showcase his abilities against a formidable defensive front and potentially secure a future starting role on the line.
