The Detroit Lions will square off against the Washington Commanders at home in their second preseason game Saturday afternoon, and there might not be a player with more at stake than center Juice Scruggs.

With Cade Mays sidelined for an extended period with a wrist injury, Detroit could be relying on Scruggs to be its starting center. The Lions acquired Scruggs from the Houston Texans in the David Montgomery trade.

Though Scruggs has a real chance of being Detroit’s Week 1 starting center, he still needs to win the job, and Saturday’s game against the Commanders could be his ticket.

Juice Scruggs Can Win Starting Center Gig With Strong Saturday Showing

Scruggs started eight games at center during his Texans tenure, and though he did string together some solid performances, the 26-year-old was also a liability at times for Houston’s offense. He posted a Pro Football Focus grade of under 47.5 in two of his three years with the Texans.

However, Scruggs will look to change that perception in 2026, and it starts Saturday. With Scruggs missing the preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, he is already behind and needs a strong showing versus the Commanders to leave no doubt about who should be the center.

Seth McLaughlin was serviceable in Cincinnati last week, but it’s unclear whether the Lions can trust him in a starting role given his lack of experience. Scruggs is clearly Detroit’s best option, and it’ll be his job to prove it.

After taking on Washington, the Lions will finish the preseason on the road against the Indianapolis Colts. Scruggs should circle both of these contests as key moments for his career, but especially Saturday at Ford Field.