Detroit Lions guard Christian Mahogany made his long-awaited offensive debut after a challenging rookie season. However, his first outing came with an unexpected cost.
According to Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire on December 15, the NFL fined Mahogany for a facemask penalty during last week’s win against the Green Bay Packers, despite his limited action on the field.
“Mahogany got dinged just over $4,600 for grabbing a facemask on one of his three offensive snaps in the game, his NFL debut on offense,” Risdon reported.
Christian Mahogany’s Tough Rookie Year
The Lions selected Mahogany in the sixth round of this year’s draft, but his rookie campaign has been riddled with obstacles. He dealt with mononucleosis during the summer, which landed him on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list to start the season.
The team activated Mahogany’s 21-day practice window in early October and added him to the 53-man roster just before the deadline.
While Mahogany had previously appeared in two games on special teams, last week’s matchup against Green Bay marked his first snaps on offense. Despite the facemask infraction, no penalty flag was thrown on the play.
Head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged that Mahogany has faced significant challenges in catching up, as his illness caused him to miss much of the offseason. After opening the rookie’s practice window, Campbell noted that Mahogany was essentially starting from square one.
“He looked like that was his first day of practice. It’s like his first practice and it’s his first NFL practice, which you would expect,” Campbell said.
Strong Competition on the Lions Offensive Line
Mahogany may struggle to find opportunities on offense this season, as he sits behind one of the league’s best offensive line units. The Lions boast a top-ranked offense, and The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy has highlighted the exceptional play of tackle Penei Sewell, even suggesting Sewell belongs in the Offensive Player of the Year conversation.
“I’m not kidding when I say this: Penei Sewell should be in the offensive player of the year discussion. He’s been that good,” Pouncy wrote. “Every time the Lions need short yards in a key situation, they typically pick them up behind Sewell. When their offense gets stagnant, they’ll work the screen game with Sewell in space blocking. He’s one of the best athletes I’ve seen on a football field, and there aren’t many dudes who can do what he does. He’s an offensive weapon — one the Lions take advantage of.”
The Lions are also benefiting from standout performances by All-Pro center Frank Ragnow and guard Kevin Zeitler, who is having what Pouncy described as “an All-Pro caliber season.”
The rest of the offensive line remains solid as well.
“Left tackle Taylor Decker has been banged up, but he’s a steady piece when healthy,” Pouncy noted. “And while Graham Glasgow hasn’t had his best season, if he’s your weak link, your offensive line is pretty good. They pave the way for the backs to do their thing while keeping Goff upright. Never underestimate the value of a great offensive line.”
