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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Lions C Frank Ragnow Fails Physical, Will Not Play In 2025

November 29th, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

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Mahogany has been replaced by Kayode Awosika, while Trystan Colon filled in for Glasgow on Thursday.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.

Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown To Miss ‘A Week Or Two’

November 28th, 2025 at 7:00pm CST by Ely Allen

NOVEMBER 28, 7:00pm: Confirming speculation over the last 24 hours, MRI and other medical tests show a low ankle sprain for St. Brown with no structural damage, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. This is mostly good news, as it means a quick return for the 26-year-old. The injury is still depicted as a one- to two-week ailment, but with so much to play for at this point in the season, it’s thought that St. Brown will push hard to get back on the field for his team.

NOVEMBER 28, 9:46am: St. Brown is believed to be dealing with a low ankle sprain, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports. That points further in direction of only a short-term absence, and Pelissero adds to little surprise an IR stint is not expected in this case. The Lions will only play one game between now and December 14.

NOVEMBER 27: The Lions have persevered through several injuries throughout the season to remain in the thick of the playoff race. But currently sitting outside of the postseason with only five games remaining, Detroit has an uphill battle on its hands. That battle will be made a bit more difficult as the Lions could be without leading wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown for the next two games.

St. Brown was knocked out of today’s game against the Packers when left guard Kayode Awosika rolled up on his ankle from behind while the receiver was blocking. St. Brown was able to limp off the field, but he went straight to the locker room and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game. Without a diagnosis just yet, head coach Dan Campbell informed the media of the situation.

“I don’t feel like this is long, long-term, so that’s the good news,” Campbell said (per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “But that doesn’t mean it won’t be here for — it could be a week or two, maybe, if we’re lucky.”

Working against the Lions is the fact that, unlike every other team playing on Thanksgiving Day, Detroit and Dallas don’t get a 10-day rest as they play each other for Thursday Night Football next week. The Lions will get a 10-day rest the following week, though, before they head out for a tough trip to Los Angeles.

The Lions have already lost star tight end Sam LaPorta for, likely, the rest of the season, and wide receiver Kalif Raymond (ankle) and tight end Brock Wright (neck) were ruled out for today’s game. Without St. Brown on the field, Jameson Williams took over the WR1 role and put up big numbers as Jared Goff‘s main weapon. Rotational receiver Isaac TeSlaa and practice squad elevation Tom Kennedy were asked to step up into complimentary roles and delivered a combined six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown.

If the Lions are going to be without St. Brown for two weeks, they may look to add a body or two. Raymond may be able to play next week, and the team also has Georgia seventh-round rookie Dominic Lovett on the 53-man roster, but Lovett has mostly been a special teamer. In addition to Kennedy, Detroit also rosters Malik Cunningham and undrafted rookie Jackson Meeks on the practice squad.

Whatever route they choose, the Lions have a tough road ahead of them. Depending on the results of the Bears’ trip to Philadelphia tomorrow night, the Detroit could be as many as two games behind the current division-leader. They already are essentially two games behind the second-place Packers, since Green Bay swept the season series and would win a one-on-one tiebreaker. They would need some help to move into a Wild Card spot, as well. And that doesn’t mention the fact that the Lions have two current playoff teams remaining on the schedule, and a Week 17 trip to Minnesota is the only time they’ll see a sub-.500 team for the rest of the year.

The schedule ahead is hard enough by itself for the Lions. Opening up this difficult closing stretch without their top receiving weapon will make the road that much steeper. St. Brown will likely have some testing done in the coming days to determine the severity of his injury and give the team an idea of just how long they’ll be without him.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/27/25

November 27th, 2025 at 6:43pm CST by Ely Allen

Thanksgiving Day’s taxi squad moves in the NFL:

Detroit Lions

New York Jets

  • Signed: DE Paschal Ekeji
  • Placed on practice squad/injured list: G Leander Wiegand

Ekeji replaces Wiegand as the 17th member of the Jets’ practice squad. Teams are allowed to carry one player over the 16-man limit for the taxi squad, given the 17th player is a participant in the league’s International Player Pathway Program. Wiegand, a German native, will move to the injured list to make room for Ekeji, who holds citizenship in three countries but originally hails from Lesotho, a small African country fully encapsulated within the borders of the larger country of South Africa. He most recently played rugby for a professional club in South Africa.

Lions DE Josh Paschal Will Not Play In 2025

November 27th, 2025 at 1:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

On November 5, Josh Paschal returned to practice for the Lions. The fourth-year defensive end’s 21-day activation window was opened as a result.

Yesterday marked the point at which the Lions needed to activate Paschal from the reserve/NFI list for him to be eligible to play in 2025. As Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network notes, however, that did not take place. Paschal has therefore reverted to season-ending IR and he will not be available this year.

That news will deal a blow to the Lions’ depth along the defensive front. Pachal saw an uptick in usage over the course of his first three seasons in the Motor City, making 10 starts in 2024. The 25-year-old recorded only two sacks but he comfortably set a new career high with 17 QB pressures. Instead of having the opportunity to contribute in that capacity late in 2025, Paschal will remain focused on recovery.

The former second-rounder has been rehabbing from back surgery dating back to the summer. It came as little surprise when he landed on the reserve/NFI list during cutdowns, something which ensured at least a one-month absence during the regular season. Now, though, team and player will proceed knowing Paschal will not be available at any point down the stretch or (if applicable) in the playoffs.

The timing of this development is particularly impactful given the fact Paschal is approaching his first trip to free agency. The Kentucky product’s rookie contract is set to expire in March, and an entire season on the sidelines will obviously deal a major blow to his value. It would come as little surprise if Paschal were to take a one-year pact with Detroit or another team for 2026 with the hopes of delivering a healthy campaign.

Entering their Thanksgiving contest, the Lions ranked mid-pack in several defensive categories. Detroit’s D-line will need to finish the year without any reinforcement on the part of Paschal being in the fold.

C Frank Ragnow To Unretire, Rejoin Lions

November 26th, 2025 at 10:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

An injury-stricken Lions offensive line will receive a surprise boost. Frank Ragnow is set to come out of retirement, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport confirms.

The former Pro Bowl center retired after the 2024 season, one that featured him play through a significant injury. With the Lions down multiple pieces up front, an impact player is coming back. This week marked the deadline for players on a reserve/retired list to be activated to play this season, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes. That deadline, which loomed today for the Lions due to their Thanksgiving matchup, has proven to be rather important for this year’s Detroit edition.

Playing without guard starter Christian Mahogany (who is on IR), the Lions have seen Ragnow successor Graham Glasgow miss practice this week with a knee injury. Glasgow has been ruled out for Thursday. Glasgow, who has logged extensive time at center and guard throughout his career in Detroit and Denver, could be an option to fill in for Mahogany at guard once Ragnow returns. The Lions, also are unlikely to see left tackle Taylor Decker at full strength this season, would certainly benefit from Ragnow returning to action. Although the seven-year starter had been retired, he is only 29.

When asked about this situation earlier this month, Dan Campbell had said the ship had sailed. But the fifth-year HC, who is back in a play-calling role, will have a chance to oversee Ragnow again. Ragnow had been one of the NFL’s best centers at the time of retirement. He walked away in June, making a surprise announcement. The Lions retained his rights, as the former first-rounder’s extension ran through the 2026 season. It will certainly be worth monitoring if Ragnow views this as a one-off or if he would be interested in sticking around beyond 2025.

As for Ragnow’s current readiness, Rapoport indicates the accomplished blocker should be able to return to action “sooner, rather than later.” Ragnow is obviously not coming back for the Lions’ Thanksgiving game against the Packers, and Schefter pours cold water on a return next Thursday against the Cowboys. A Week 15 debut (against the Rams) is believed to be in play, however. This timetable is encouraging for a Lions team that had the luxury of top-level center play for an extended period.

Ragnow earned second-team All-Pro acclaim three times from 2020-24. With Jason Kelce gobbling up first-team All-Pro nods as he built a rock-solid Hall of Fame case, second-team All-Pro distinctions became the de facto ceiling for others at the position. And Ragnow played hurt en route to the second-team honor behind Creed Humphrey in 2024. Although Brandon Graham and Darren Waller have unretired this season, Ragnow represents — at this stage of his career — a higher-quality player returning. This could make a considerable difference for a Lions team in a heated NFC North battle.

Ragnow received his most recent All-Pro nod despite suffering a torn pectoral muscle early in the 2024 season. The 2018 first-round pick anchored a dominant Lions offensive line, joining Decker and Penei Sewell as pillars for a team that motored to 15-2 behind its offense.

Detroit lost dependable guard Kevin Zeitler in the offseason, replacing him with second-round pick Tate Ratledge. But Ragnow’s mid-offseason retirement brought Glasgow back to center — where he last played in 2022. The return has not gone smoothly; Pro Football Focus ranks him 28th at the position. Replacement LG Kayode Awosika has also been a slight step back from Mahogany, prompting PFF to rank the Lions’ O-line — one of the NFL’s best position groups in 2024 — 10th ahead of Week 13.

The Lions extended Ragnow on a four-year, $54MM deal — at the time, this was the NFL’s top center pact — during Campbell and GM Brad Holmes‘ first year (2021). That proved a timely signing for Ragnow, who suffered a season-ending injury early in 2021. His return helped catalyze the Campbell mission, as the Lions stormed to 9-8 after a 1-6 start. They then finished 13-4 in 2023 and steamrolled to the NFC’s No. 1 seed last season. Defensive injuries did in Detroit, which lost Ben Johnson to Chicago. Campbell yanking the play sheet from replacement John Morton was obviously not a good sign for the OC, and the Lions sit 7-4 — third in the NFC North — ahead of a crucial Packers tilt.

Following the Cowboys contest, the Lions close the season with games against the Rams, Steelers, Vikings and Bears. Ragnow being available for the final four games would stand to be a key variable in the NFC playoff race.

Lions Activate DE Marcus Davenport From IR

November 26th, 2025 at 8:55pm CST by Ely Allen

For the second year in a row, Lions pass rusher Marcus Davenport‘s season was put on pause after only two game appearances when he was placed on injured reserve with a pectoral strain that knocked him out of the team’s Week 2 contest. Unlike last year, though, Davenport will get to see the field again. The Lions announced today that they have activated Davenport from IR.

Injuries have played a significant role in Davenport’s NFL career to this point. Now in his eighth year in the league, Davenport has never appeared in every game of a season. Despite some offseason surgery after his rookie year in New Orleans, Davenport stayed relatively healthy throughout most of his first two years as a pro. He missed three games as a rookie then started every game of his sophomore campaign up until he suffered a foot injury that put him on IR for the final three games of the year.

He got a late start to the 2020 season, missing the first four games of the season, and as a result, he came off the bench for much of the year behind Cameron Jordan and Trey Hendrickson. At that point in his career, Davenport had shown flashes but only totaled 12.0 sacks in three years. The Saints showed their confidence in Davenport, exercising his fifth-year option, and he returned to more of starting role the next year, rewarding the team’s faith with a nine-sack performance. Those sacks came despite the fact that he missed six games in 2021, including four from an IR stint due to a shoulder injury.

Davenport underwent five offseason surgeries before playing out his fifth-year option, including a partial amputation on one of his fingers, but he appeared in career-high 15 contests, starting nine of them. While his attendance was much improved, his production was not. In his contract year, Davenport logged only half of a sack. This led to him signing a one-year, $13MM prove-it contract with the Vikings in 2023, and a high ankle sprain ended his year in Minnesota after appearing in only four of the first six games of the season.

That led to his current two-year stay in Detroit which has seen him — and several other Lions pass rushers — plagued with injuries. It looked at the start of the year that Davenport and star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson would shake off their prior year injuries, but Davenport will get another chance at that as he returns to the active roster. During Davenport’s absence, outside linebacker Derrick Barnes (4.0 sacks) and defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad (6.0) have filled in admirably opposite Hutchinson (8.5).

The Lions made several roster moves while activating Davenport from IR. They also activated LSU fifth-round rookie offensive guard Miles Frazier from the reserve/physically unable to perform list, where he started the season due to a knee injury. To make room on the 53-man roster, they waived backup running back Craig Reynolds. Detroit signed tight end Anthony Firkser and wide receiver Tom Kennedy to its practice squad and designated center Kingsley Eguakun and tight end Zach Horton as standard gameday practice squad elevations for its Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Packers tomorrow.

NFL Minor Transactions: 11/25/25

November 25th, 2025 at 6:35pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Detroit Lions

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

  • Activated from IR: OT Barry Wesley
  • Signed to active roster: RB Evan Hull

Seattle Seahawks

In addition to waiving cornerback Arthur Maulet, the Lions also moved on from defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson and cornerback Nick Whiteside. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, these moves were likely made in anticipation of upcoming activations from IR and PUP.

The Patriots started preparing for Will Campbell and Jared Wilson‘s absences by adding some experienced offensive line depth, as the team snagged Thayer Munford off the Browns practice squad today. The former seventh-round pick was mostly a part-time starter during his three seasons with the Raiders, although he did start a career-high 10 games for the organization in 2023.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/25/25

November 25th, 2025 at 6:20pm CST by Connor Byrne

Tuesday’s practice squad updates from around the NFL…

Cincinnati Bengals

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

  • Signed: OL Wyatt Bowles

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

  • Signed: CB Myles Purchase

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tennessee Titans

Lions Waive CB Arthur Maulet

November 25th, 2025 at 2:01pm CST by Connor Byrne

The Lions are cutting cornerback Arthur Maulet, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Maulet will be free to sign anywhere if he clears waivers.

After combining for 85 appearances and 23 starts with five NFL teams from 2017-24, Maulet joined the Lions’ practice squad on Oct. 8. The Lions were dealing with injuries to cornerbacks D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, and Khalil Dorsey when they scooped up Maulet.

Four days after joining the Lions’ taxi squad, Maulet debuted with the team in a Week 6 loss to the Chiefs. He went on to appear in five more games before the Lions cut him.

Over 170 snaps with Detroit (105 on defense, 65 on special teams), the 32-year-old totaled 14 tackles, one pass defensed, and an interception. Maulet’s pick, the fifth of his career, came against Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield in a Week 7 victory.

The Lions activated Reed and Dorsey from IR last Saturday, leading to a reduction in playing time for Maulet on Sunday. He picked up just five defensive snaps in a win over the Giants. Arnold has missed back-to-back games with a concussion, but he could return on Thanksgiving against the Packers, per Richard Silva of the Detroit News. If so, the Lions would have a full complement of healthy corners with Arnold rejoining Reed, Dorsey, Amik Robertson, and Rock Ya-Sin among their top five options.

2025 Injured Reserve Return Tracker

November 22nd, 2025 at 9:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 2024 offseason brought a change in how teams could construct their 53-man rosters while retaining flexibility with injured players. Clubs were permitted to attach return designations to two players (in total) placed on IR or an NFI list before setting their initial rosters.

In prior years, anyone placed on IR before a team set its initial 53-man roster could not be activated in-season. All August 26 IR- or NFI-return designations, however, already count against teams’ regular-season limit of eight. Teams will be tasked with determining which players injured in-season will factor into activation puzzles as the year progresses.

All players designated for return on August 26 became eligible to be activated beginning in Week 5, though any player placed on IR after a team set its initial 53 has not been designated for return and therefore does not yet count toward a club’s eight-activation limit. Playoff teams will receive two additional injury activations once the postseason begins.

Here is how the 32 teams’ activation puzzles look for Week 13:

Arizona Cardinals

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Atlanta Falcons

Reverted to season-ending IR:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Baltimore Ravens

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activations remaining: 6

Buffalo Bills

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Carolina Panthers

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Chicago Bears

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 3

Cincinnati Bengals

Activated:

Activations remaining: 3

Cleveland Browns

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Dallas Cowboys

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 2

Denver Broncos

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Detroit Lions

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Green Bay Packers

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Houston Texans

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Indianapolis Colts

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Jacksonville Jaguars

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Designated for return:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Kansas City Chiefs

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Activations remaining: 6

Las Vegas Raiders

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Los Angeles Chargers

Designated for return:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 3

Los Angeles Rams

Designated for return:

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 7

Miami Dolphins

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 3

Minnesota Vikings

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 3

New England Patriots

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 7

New Orleans Saints

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

New York Giants

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

New York Jets

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Philadelphia Eagles

Reverted to season-ending IR:

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Pittsburgh Steelers

Reverted to season-ending IR:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

San Francisco 49ers

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Seattle Seahawks

Eligible for activation:

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 6

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 7

Tennessee Titans

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Washington Commanders

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

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