The Detroit Lions have just three training camp practices and one preseason game remaining in their offseason before they need to make final cuts on Sunday. On Tuesday, they announced they signed center Gus Hartwig to their 90-man roster and placed veteran linebacker Damone Clark on injured reserve.<\/p>\n
Hartwig was a 48-game starter at Purdue, and after going undrafted in 2025, he signed with the New York Jets. Unfortunately, he suffered an early camp leg injury and spent his rookie season on injured reserve. He began the offseason with the Jets, but was released after spring camp. Primarily a zone-based center, Hartwig won with intelligence and lateral foot quickness at Purdue, but, similar to Lions reserve center Seth McLaughlin, he struggled with his anchor against power in pass protection.<\/p>\n
With starting center Cade Mays out with a wrist injury, and reserve center Michael suffering a leg injury\u2014and was spotted on crutches in the locker room<\/a>\u2014in last Saturday\u2019s preseason game, the Lions only had two true centers on the roster: presumed interim starter Juice Scruggs and McLaughlin. The addition of Hartwig will allow the Lions to roll three offensive lines for the final week of training camp, and if he impresses, he could earn a spot on the practice squad.<\/p>\n