Christian Mahogany appeared full of remorse and regret.
“It sucks what happened,” he said in one breath.
“I have to grow up, and I have to stop breaking team rules,” he added in another.
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Mahogany made those remarks Wednesday, Nov. 11, as he met with reporters for the first time since he was benched for disciplinary reasons during the Detroit Lions’ 19-9 victory over the Miami Dolphins last weekend.
The third-year left guard said he apologized to his teammates and coaches but didn’t reveal what led to his punishment.
He did vow, however, that it “won’t ever happen again.”
“You just got to eat it on the chin,” Mahogany said. “I’m not going to sulk.”
Instead, he is ready to turn the page.
The organization is, too.
Before the Lions‘ walkthrough practice Wednesday, head coach Dan Campbell said Mahogany would resume work with the first team.
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Second-year lineman Miles Frazier, who made his first career start in place of Mahogany on Sunday, struggled while playing all 59 offensive snaps at left guard against the Dolphins.
No Lions lineman graded out worse than Frazier, according to Pro Football Focus.
“It sucked not being out there,” said Mahogany, who was actually on the field for each of Jake Bates’ four made field goals as well as his lone point-after attempt. “I let my teammates down, and I don’t want to do that. I did. That’s on me.”
Center Juice Scruggs said he was appreciative Mahogany took accountability and was earnest about his desire to make amends.
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“The biggest thing is you’ve got to learn from it,” Scruggs told the Free Press. “Don’t make the same mistake twice. Just learn from it, move on, and grow as a player and a person. We’ve all got his back. We know the type of guy he is. We all know the type of teammate he is. We’re just going to move forward from it.”
Mahogany certainly is.
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“I can’t let last week affect me,” he said.
Prior to his benching, Mahogany had been enjoying his best season as a pro. Known as a strong blocker, he has become much sturdier in pass protection. A year after he surrendered a team-high six sacks, he has yet to allow one in 2026, according to PFF.
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A lineup with Mahogany is stronger than one without him.
But when the week began, Campbell was noncommittal about whether Mahogany would be back in his post between Scruggs and left tackle Penei Sewell this Sunday for the Lions’ showdown with the New England Patriots in Munich, Germany.
“The ball is in his court,” Campbell said Monday.
Two days later, the Lions coach appeared to indicate Mahogany was on the verge of regaining his starting spot, noting that the plan was for him to practice with the top unit Wednesday.
“I’m on to New England,” Mahogany said. “I’m ready to go.”
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Quarterback Jared Goff (chest) appeared on the team’s injury report Wednesday. He was limited during the team’s walkthrough practice, along with receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (rib) and safeties Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (hip).
Meanwhile, center Cade Mays (ankle) and cornerback D.J. Reed (hip), who were sidelined Sunday, did not practice and Campbell told reporters that they are unlikely to return to action against the Patriots. Backup running back Sione Vaki (ankle) also sat out Wednesday. Edge defender DJ Wonnum (concussion) and kick returner Jacob Saylors (neck/hamstring) were full participants.
Contact Rainer Sabin at rsabin@freepress.com. Follow him @RainerSabin on X.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions LG Christian Mahogany on benching: ‘I have to grow up’
