Lions center Frank Ragnow failed his physical and will not play in 2025, per a team announcement.
Detroit’s medical team found a Grade 3 hamstring strain that will prevent Ragnow from completing his comeback attempt after retiring this offseason. Head coach Dan Campbell said that Ragnow informed the team about the injury, prompting further evaluation. That revealed a more severe injury that immediately eliminated the chance of Detroit’s longtime center playing this season.
Ragnow, 29, came out of retirement after the Lions’ suffered multiple injuries along their offensive line. Left guard Christian Mahogany broke his leg in Week 9 and could be out until the new year. Center Graham Glasgow did not play on Thanksgiving due to a knee injury.
Mahogany has been replaced by Kayode Awosika, while Trystan Colon filled in for Glasgow on Thursday. If Ragnow had returned, he would have taken over at center and moved Glasgow to left guard, his spot in 2024, once he was healthy.
Ragnow would have been a boost to the Lions’ offensive line. Though the unit is not exactly struggling, the injuries have left them without their preferred options. Ragnow, a four-time Pro Bowler, has been one of the league’s best centers for the last several years. In his last five seasons, he allowed just four sacks and earned a 90.0 grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) three times.
Instead, the Lions will have to stick with Awosika, Colon, and Glasgow to fill their left guard and center spots. The first has only played guard, but the latter two line up at both spots, giving Detroit a few potential combinations. Rookie Miles Frazier came off the non-football injury list this week and could get a look as well. He primarily played right guard in college, but spent time at left guard in 2022 and would likely step in there.
As for Ragnow, his age indicates that he could try again in 2026, but his initial retirement was partially driven by the injuries he suffered throughout his career. His only full season came in 2020. Since his comeback was foiled by another injury, he may take it as confirmation of his initial decision.
Campbell said that nothing had been discussed regarding Ragnow’s future, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
That was quick.
He probably saw how bad they played on Thursday and said “no thanks.”
NFL players just need to retire when they retire.
Grade 3 hammy strain from getting off the couch? Been there.
That’s a shame. He played through a lot of injuries. Seemed like it had to take a lot for him to retire. Would have been cool to see him come back.
Yep, sure would’ve. I’m surprised he/they didn’t do those tests before it was announced.
That’s rather anti climactic.
I’m kind of glad in a way. Not that I would mind if he came back but I just don’t think this would have been a good thing for him. Seemed like kind of a Hail Mary if you will. I’m just saying if he really wants to come back then he should go through camp or at least whatever parts his body will let him and then come back. Just trying to insert him Willy Nilly like this wouldn’t be great for him or his body I’m guessing. He’s a All Pro player and at 29 should have more in the tank but only he can tell what his body will take. I just hope he makes a good decision for himself.
Exactly why it’s lame. Proved my point.
I bet if he never actually retired and had a grade 3 tear they would just let him play if he could gut it out. They don’t give players a physical every week which is the only obstacle he had.
Man, I wish the 49ers would learn to invest in their OL in order to create solid depth like this…
I mean, right now, ironically, their OL is the only thing even remotely healthy for that team, but still they’re severely lacking talent on their OL, and refuse to invest anything more than a late round draft pick, outside of one 3rd Round pick in RG D.Puni