Lions Bolster O-Line with Gus Hartwig, Place Damone Clark on IR

With the 2026 NFL regular season looming on the horizon, the Detroit Lions are making critical roster moves to solidify their depth ahead of final cuts. As reported by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, the Lions announced Tuesday that they have signed center Gus Hartwig to their 90-man roster and placed veteran linebacker Damone Clark on injured reserve. The moves come with just three training camp practices and one preseason game remaining before the team must trim its roster to 53 players by Sunday.

Addressing the Center Crisis

The addition of Hartwig is a direct response to a mounting injury crisis at the center position. Starting center Cade Mays is sidelined with a wrist injury, and reserve center Michael Niese suffered a leg injury in Saturday's preseason game—he was spotted on crutches in the locker room. That left the Lions with only two true centers on the roster: presumed interim starter Juice Scruggs and Seth McLaughlin. Hartwig's arrival gives Detroit the flexibility to roll three offensive lines during the final week of camp, a crucial advantage as they prepare for the season opener.

Hartwig, a 48-game starter at Purdue, went undrafted in 2025 and signed with the New York Jets, but a leg injury in his first training camp sidelined him for his entire rookie season on injured reserve. After being released by the Jets this spring, he now gets a fresh opportunity in Detroit. Known for his intelligence and lateral foot quickness, Hartwig fits the zone-blocking scheme well, though he shares a similar weakness to McLaughlin: struggling against power rushers in pass protection. Still, his experience and football IQ make him a valuable addition to compete for a practice squad spot or even a backup role.

Linebacker Shake-Up

On the defensive side, placing Damone Clark on injured reserve is a significant blow to the Lions' linebacker corps. Clark opened training camp as one of the team's top-six linebackers and appeared poised to contribute meaningfully in 2026. However, head coach Dan Campbell noted that Clark is "done indefinitely," making it likely he will spend the entire season on IR unless the team reaches an injury settlement. This opens the door for other reserves to step up, including recent signing Devin White, as well as Erick Hunter, Joe Bachie, and Troy Reeder, all of whom have impressed during camp.

With Clark out of the picture, and rookie Jimmy Rolder potentially starting the season on injured reserve/return, one of these three reserves could secure a coveted spot on the 53-man roster. The competition in the final week of camp will be fierce, and the Lions' coaching staff will be closely evaluating every rep. As highlighted on Vulius, these moves underscore the team's proactive approach to managing injuries and maintaining depth as they gear up for a playoff push. The Lions' roster decisions in the coming days will be pivotal in shaping their 2026 campaign.