The Lions can’t catch a break. Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow will be shut down for the year after undergoing season-ending toe surgery (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Previously, there was hope that Ragnow could return after a short stint on the IR list. 
“He’s got, basically, a version of turf toe right now is what he’s got,” said Lions head coach Dan Campbell less than one week ago (via ESPN.com). “We’ll know a lot more this afternoon with him. I would say he’s probably going to be out [for a little while] though.”
The winless Lions have already lost several key players to injury, including left tackle Taylor Decker, edge rusher Romeo Okwara, and wide receiver Quintez Cephus. Up until this latest issue, Ragnow was mostly healthy throughout his career, save for three missed games.
Ragnow been first-string for Detroit ever since he was taken with the No. 20 overall pick in 2018. At first, the Lions used the Arkansas product at left guard. In 2019, they shifted him to the middle. And, in May, they made him the highest-paid center in the NFL with a $70MM re-up. That deal cemented his status as a pillar of the Lions’ offensive line and vaulted him ahead of Chargers C Corey Linsley, who led the position with a five-year, $62.5MM pact.
The wounded Lions will face the 3-2 Bengals on Sunday.
This team is cursed beyond belief. Not sure what the root cause is but it seems like everyone is against them with the NFL itself leading the charge. Unfortunately they will never win anything and would be better off killing off their name and resurrecting themselves as a new team. With this in mind, I’d like to see them become the Michigan Mustangs (Mustang is one of Ford’s most popular vehicles and the Ford family owns the Lions).
I’m doubtful that a rebranding would actually accomplish anything. I don’t care much for the new name your suggesting but perhaps the franchise could relocate to Shelby Indiana and call themselves the Cobras.
I’ve never heard of a player being out for the year because of “turf toe”.
Its probably a grade 3. My cousin had that and had surgery because the toe joint was damaged.
Turf toe sounds like a minor injury but it forced the retirement of Steeler great LB Jack Lambert who was widely regarded as one of the toughest dudes to ever play in the NFL.