Detroit Lions pre-free agency additions: Medical breakdown of Scruggs, McLaughlin, & Gordon
Can these recent additions be relied upon to be quality backups or even starters?
The Lions have added the following 3 players prior to free agency, which starts on March 9. When you look at this group as a whole, you see that they are all young for free agents which is a great start. You also see that these players target obvious positions of need. The interior offensive line needs a major improvement, and the TE position needs healthy bodies.
While none of these 3 are expected to be starters, the hope is that they can serve as quality, reliable backups. Medical concerns are an issue with 2 of them though.
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season)
Quick summary of medical concern levels
Juice Scruggs, OG/C (26): foot, L3 vertebrae fracture - 5/10
Seth McLaughlin, C (25): Achilles 2024 - 6/10
Thomas Gordon, TE (26): clean - 0/10
Juice Scruggs, OG/C (26)
Signed through the 2026 season
Concern level 5/10
2025: 18 games.
2024: 15 games. Foot injury, missed multiple games.
2023 (Texans): 9 games. Missed first half of season with hamstring.
2019: Car accident causing concussion and fractured L3 vertebrae. Missed season.
Scruggs came over from the Texans in the David Montgomery trade. He has a major injury history with his L3 spine which could have residuals. Lions fans have experienced the ongoing tribulations of Levi Onwuzurike, who had back issues in college that culminated in an L5-S1 spinal fusion. Any injury to the lumbar spine is no small matter.
An unspecified foot injury in 2024 is somewhat concerning, but it’s reassuring that he’s had a full season after that. His hamstring in 2023 is less of a concern but is still something that can recur.
Seth McLaughlin, C (25)
Signed to futures contract
Medical Concern level 6/10
2025 (Bengals): No game action
November 2024 at Ohio State: Ruptured Achilles.
At this point, the Lions should have a good sense of McLaughlin’s recovery from the Achilles injury which occurred 16 months ago. However, the lack of any live action means you just don’t know for sure.
Prior to the injury, he was a top-tier center in college for Alabama and Ohio State. The Lions center position is currently up in the air with the recent release of incumbent Graham Glasgow. Tate Ratledge might be the current favorite, but maybe McLaughlin can challenge for the center spot.
Thomas Gordon, TE (26)
Signed to futures contract
Medical Concern level 0/10
2025 (Bears): No game action
With the Lions top 2 TE’s recovering from health issues (Sam LaPorta back surgery, Brock Wright trachea), the Lions would be wise to have healthy backups ready to go.
I did not find any major injuries in his past which makes Gordon a healthy addition to the TE unit.
For more on Sam LaPorta’s herniated disc surgery…