Former Lions defender Tracy Scroggins dies at 56

Former Detroit Lions player Tracy Scroggins passed away on Monday at 56. The Lions, who drafted Scroggins in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft, confirmed his death and honored him as a team legend. Scroggins played his entire 10-year NFL career with the Lions, appearing in 142 games and achieving 60.5 career sacks, placing him seventh in the franchise's history.

Scroggins' family highlighted his roles as a devoted father and friend, noting his remarkable strength and perseverance. Despite his professional achievements, Scroggins struggled with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition linked to repeated head injuries, although official diagnosis occurs only posthumously through a neuropathological autopsy. The family has not confirmed if they will pursue brain testing.

Scroggins was among approximately 5,000 former players who filed concussion-related lawsuits against the NFL, with an additional personal claim filed in 2016.