Top 10 injury news of the Lions 2024 season No. 8: Christian Mahogany's delayed debut
Top 10 injury news of the Lions 2024 season No. 8: Christian Mahogany's delayed debut Mahogany had mononucleosis that wiped out over half his rookie season
Christian Mahogany among guards in Week 16:
🦁 76.2 PFF grade (T-9th)
🦁 82.5 pass-blocking grade (9th)
🦁 33 pass-blocking snaps
🦁 1 pressure allowed pic.twitter.com/nFI240NJcF — PFF DET Lions (@PFF_Lions) December 24, 2024
Christian Mahogany was drafted in the 6th-round of the 2024 draft with the hopes he would challenge for a backup role at offensive guard behind the two entrenched starters Graham Glasgow and Kevin Zeitler. However, an unexpected illness delayed his debut in the NFL.
Medical history
Immediately before training camp started, Mahogany was diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis (aka mono). While mono is rarely a serious issue, it can keep a player out of action for a while due to splenomegaly.
See my full article detailing the infection here.
Impact on season
The mono kept him out all of training camp and landed him on the NFI (non football injury) list to start the season. His practice window did not open until October 8 (week 5). His first appearance in a game wasn't until November 24 (week 12) when he played four special teams snaps.
For a rookie to miss all of camp and a large portion of the early season, it seemed a long-shot for him to find an impactful role on the team due to both physical and mental preparedness. Thus, it was surprising that he made an appearance as the primary OG backup on December 5 (week 14) when starting RG Kevin Zeitler left briefly for a suspected eye issue.
Two games later on December 22 (week 16) vs the Bears, Mahogany made his big debut when he started and played 100% of offensive snaps due to a Graham Glasgow injury. His performance was impressive - especially since he had missed so much time earlier in the year.
Here he is at LG showing nimble feet in that game against the Bears...
Very impressed from what I've seen from Lions LG 73 Christian Mahogany. Watch him on this zone run as he gets to the play side LB. Very good quickness and pad level to the second level. I believe he's supposed to block the backside LB but either way, he's impressive! #OnePride pic.twitter.com/PX6WLCXF1T — Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) December 23, 2024
Mahogany followed up his regular season performance with another good starting performance in the playoffs when he played the entire game due to a Zeitler hamstring injury.
Salary cap implications
Going into the 2025 season, there are high hopes that Mahogany can take over a starting OG position. From a financial perspective, a 6th-round starter on the offensive line would be a huge benefit to the Lions salary cap.
For comparison:
Graham Glasgow signed a 3-year, $20 million contract to start at LG last offseason.
Kevin Zeitler signed a 1-year, $6 million contract to start at RG last offseason. This offseason as an unrestricted free agent, he signed a 1-year, $9 million contract with the Titans.
Trey Smith, OG of the Kansas City Chiefs, was recently franchise tagged at $23.4 million.
Meanwhile, the 2025 cap hit for Mahogany will be less than $1 million as he enters the second year of his 4-year, $4.2 million rookie deal. With players like Aidan Hutchinson, Brian Branch, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta worthy of big extensions, every saved dollar matters.
Outlook
While the rookie debut was a good beginning, there are some question marks for Mahogany going forward. He only started two games all year so is far from proven yet. Medically, he has a history of a right ACL tear in 2022 and was playing with a right knee brace all last season for unknown reasons. The knee brace raises concerns there is a chronic knee issue that could cause problems over a long 17+ game season.
Despite the concerns, there is plenty of optimism for Mahogany going into the next season. He was able to overcome an infection that sidelined him for months to become a quality, fill-in starter down the stretch. Last year's starting RG, Kevin Zeitler, left for the Titans in free agency this offseason opening the door for Mahogany to step through. This door was blown off the hinges when Frank Ragnow retired.
During OTA two weeks ago, Mahogany was starting at the LG position with 2nd-round rookie Tate Ratledge at center and Glasgow at RG. Early indications are that Mahogany is in pole position to become a starter in 2025.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Bears All-Quarter Century Team: Special Teams
Twenty-five years of Chicago Bears football are in the books since the turn of the century. Since the calendar turned over to 2000, the Bears have seen some success, but also plenty of woeful stretches. Early on, Chicago became a defensive force, claiming four division titles and reaching only their second Super Bowl in franchise history from 2000 to 2010. Since then, however, a 14-year playoff victory drought that is still ongoing and a one-sided fight with their rival Green Bay Packers have taken the spotlight. For all the ups and downs the Bears have seen, however, they had plenty of talent over the years across offense and defense. Multiple former Bears players are already in the Hall of Fame, while many more provided years of incredible play in the navy and orange. Here at Bears Wire, we're celebrating the best Bears players at each position over the last 25 years. We've reached the end of our list with special teams, led by the greatest returner the NFL has ever seen. Punt returner: Devin Hester The greatest return specialist in NFL history spent the majority of his career in a Chicago Bears uniform. There will never be another player quite like Devin Hester, an electric returner who burst onto the scene immediately during his rookie year. Hester was a game changer from the start, having the ability to find the end zone the second the football dropped into his hands. Hester has set multiple NFL records, most notably having the most punt return touchdowns in NFL history and the most return touchdowns in total in NFL history. But even when he didn't touch the ball, he was impacting the game. Teams would surrender 20+ yards of field position just to ensure Hester couldn't be a threat to score. His greatest return of all came on the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI, a feat that will likely never happen again. While Hester was an excellent kick returner, he was most special fielding punts. A four-time Pro Bowl player, three-time First-Team All-Pro, and a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team for both the 2000s and 2010s, Hester redefined the return specialist position. His legacy is forever enshrined at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Honorable mention: Tarik Cohen Kick returner: Cordarrelle Patterson Outside of Hester, the Bears have had a few dynamic kick returners throughout the 21st century. Jerry Azumah had a stellar season in 2003 with two touchdowns, while Danieal Manning led the league in average yards per return in 2008 with 29.7. For two seasons, though, Cordarrelle Patterson was a consistent threat coming out of the end zone and had a unique blend of size and speed that was difficult to stop. The Bears signed Patterson as a free agent in 2019 to be a gadget player as well as a return specialist. While he wasn't particularly effective on offense, Patterson gave the Bears excellent field position as a returner—even when he would opt to return a kick while nine yards deep in the end zone. In two seasons, Patterson averaged over 29 yards per return and had two scores. In 2020, his 35 returns, 1,017 return yards, and longest return of 104 yards were all league highs. In both seasons as a Bear, Patterson made the Pro Bowl and was named First-Team All-Pro at the position. He was named to the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team and holds the NFL record for most kick return touchdowns in a career. Honorable mention: Jerry Azumah Kicker: Robbie Gould Who knew that when the Bears signed Robbie Gould off a construction site nearly 20 years ago, he would become the greatest kicker in team history? Gould joined the Bears midway through the 2005 season and proved to be a reliable kicker right away. His best season came in 2006, when he nailed 26 consecutive field goals and was named First-Team All-Pro. He went eight seasons in a row of converting at least 83% of his field goals, a feat that's not easily achieved. Gould's best attribute, however, was his ability to hit clutch field goals when the pressure was at its highest. He sent the Bears to the NFC Championship Game during the 2006 season with a 49-yard kick in overtime and made numerous game-winning kicks throughout his career. While he technically isn't the most accurate kicker in Bears history anymore (Cairo Santos holds that title), Robbie was "good as Gould" for a decade in Chicago—a rarity for NFL kickers. Honorable mention: Cairo Santos Punter: Pat O'Donnell It feels dirty going against a fan favorite like Brad Maynard, who was solid during his years in Chicago, but Pat O'Donnell was the better punter. The Bears made a polarizing selection when they spent a sixth-round draft pick on O'Donnell in 2014, but he showed he was worth the value. O'Donnell had a big leg, earning the nickname "Megapunt" during his first training camp. He averaged more than 45 yards per punt and did a good job of keeping the ball out of the end zone. O'Donnell's magnum opus came in 2015 when he totaled 10 punts in a shutout loss to the Seattle Seahawks and averaged 47.7 yards per attempt. He's had multiple kicks of 72 yards or more during his Bears career and had a touchback percentage of just 6.9%. O'Donnell never made any Pro Bowls, but he was a solid special teams player in the 2010s. Honorable mention: Brad Maynard Long snapper: Patrick Mannelly Long snappers are often underappreciated, but Bears fans absolutely loved Patrick Mannelly during his playing days—and for good reason. Mannelly, who holds the record for most games ever played in a Bears uniform, made long snapping an art form. He was automatic when it came to punts and field goal attempts but also did the dirty work like making tackles on special teams. Mannelly was an important team leader, as he was voted the special teams captain for six years straight. Honorable mention: Patrick Scales Bears All-Quarter Century Team
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Bears have two of the least watchable games in 2025
The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2025 season, but there will be no shortage of challenges given their second-most difficult strength of schedule that features slates against the AFC North, NFC East and two contests agains the rest of the NFC North. recently examined the most and least watchable games on the 2025 schedule. And while the Bears didn't have any games make the most-watchable list, they had two contests on the least-watchable list -- the Bears' Week 10 game against the New York Giants and Chicago's Week 15 contest against the Cleveland Browns. Using their BWI (Bookies Watchable Index), the Bears-Browns game received a a score of 30.7 while Chicago's least watchable game is against the Giants (30.35). While there's plenty of excitement surrounding the Bears heading into 2025, due in large part to the duo of Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams, the same can't be said for their opponents on this list, New York and Cleveland. The Giants finished with a 3-14 record, which earned them the fourth overall selection in edge rusher Abdul Carter. Meanwhile, the Browns are also coming off a 3-14 campaign, where they landed defensive tackle Mason Graham at fifth overall. Both teams have questions, particularly at the quarterback position, while expectations are high for Williams in Year 2. While the Bears have one of the most difficult schedules in the league, including games against the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles, there are some winnable games on the schedule that should help make head coach Ben Johnson's first year a success. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
Bears All-Quarter Century Team: Safeties
Twenty-five years of Chicago Bears football are in the books since the turn of the century. Since the calendar turned over to 2000, the Bears have seen some success, but also plenty of woeful stretches. Early on, Chicago became a defensive force, claiming four division titles and reaching only their second Super Bowl in franchise history from 2000 to 2010. Since then, however, a 14-year playoff victory drought that is still ongoing and a one-sided fight with their rival Green Bay Packers have taken the spotlight. For all the ups and downs the Bears have seen, however, they had plenty of talent over the years across offense and defense. Multiple former Bears players are already in the Hall of Fame, while many more provided years of incredible play in the navy and orange. Here at Bears Wire, we're celebrating the best Bears players at each position over the last 25 years. Rounding out the defense are the safeties, which feature some big ballhawks and playmakers who made a lasting impact. Mike Brown No safety has embodied the Chicago Bears better this century than Mike Brown, who established himself as a leader on some of the league's best defenses in the 2000s. Brown, selected in the second round of the 2000 NFL draft, made an immediate impact as a starter his rookie season. In fact, he lost out on NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year to his fellow draft mate, Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher. Brown's best season came in his sophomore campaign, where he totaled a career-high five interceptions, including a league-high two pick sixes, a career-high 11 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, and well as a career-high three sacks en route to a First-Team All-Pro bid. Brown had a nose for the football and always knew how to come away with a game-changing play to win it for his team. In his second season, Brown returned an interception for a touchdown in two consecutive overtime wins -- picking off a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers receiver Terell Owens in Week 7 and then intercepting Cleveland Browns quarterback Tim Couch in Week 8. Brown became the first player in NFL history to accomplish the feat, and he remains the only player to have back-to-back game-winning touchdown returns in overtime in league history. Brown had quite the impressive resume, including First-Team All Pro (2001), Second-Team All-Pro (2005), Pro Bowl honors (2005), PFWA's All-Rookie Team and 100 greatest Bears of All-Time (63rd). Brown played his first nine seasons with Chicago (2000-08) before a final season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009. Eddie Jackson While Mike Brown stands alone as the team's best safety this century, Eddie Jackson certainly embodied that dominant, playmaking mindset when he was selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Jackson had a breakout year in his second season, where he posted a career-high six interceptions (including two pick sixes), a career-high 15 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery (for a touchdown) and one sack en route to First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods. In his prime, Jackson was one of the league's most dominant safeties where he thrived taking the ball away. Jackson is tied with linebacker Lance Briggs for third in franchise history with six career defensive touchdowns, trailing only cornerback Charles Tillman (9) and safety Mike Brown (7). Unfortunately, after inking a well-deserved contact extension in 2019, Jackson's play declined as five of those defensive touchdowns happened in his first two seasons. While he experienced a resurgent year in 2022, a season-ending foot injury ended his season and his Bears career and he was released ahead of the 2024 season due to his large salary cap hit. While Jackson's stock fell in the 2017 draft, due to a knee injury, he started all 100 games he played in seven games with Chicago, where he totaled 459 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss, 15 interceptions, 44 pass breakups, 10 forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and six defensive touchdowns. Mike Green Mike Brown and Eddie Jackson are the clear-cut top safeties so far this century for the Bears, so there was certainly a gap between them and our third safety, Mike Green. The former Mr. Irrelevant of the 2000 NFL draft, Green played his first six seasons with Chicago from 2000 to 2005. Green was part of a Bears draft class that included Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher and Brown, who both also made our All-Quarter Century team. Green started his career as a reserve and worked his way into a starting role with Chicago, where he eclipsed 100 total tackles in two seasons (2002, 2004) and proved to be a key contributor in the secondary. He finished his Bears career with 397 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, six sacks, four interceptions, 25 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries. Green returned to a reserve role in 2005 and was eventually traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 2006, in exchange for a sixth-round pick. He spent two seasons with the Seahawks before wrapping his career with the Washington Redskins in 2008. Honorable mention: Adrian Amos Bears All-Quarter Century Team Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
