Detroit Lions Center Frank Ragnow’s Comeback Ends with Injury

The Detroit Lions have announced that center Frank Ragnow will not participate in the 2025 season following the discovery of a Grade 3 hamstring strain. This injury thwarted Ragnow’s attempt to return to the field after his retirement earlier this offseason. Head coach Dan Campbell reported that Ragnow informed the team about his condition, leading to further evaluation that revealed the severity of the injury, effectively ending any hopes of him playing this season.

Ragnow, aged 29, came out of retirement due to a series of injuries affecting the Lions’ offensive line. Notably, left guard Christian Mahogany suffered a broken leg in Week 9, sidelining him until the new year. In addition, center Graham Glasgow missed the Thanksgiving game due to a knee injury. With Ragnow’s absence confirmed, the Lions are now tasked with finding a viable alternative at center.

Challenges Ahead for the Lions’ Offensive Line

In light of Ragnow’s injury, the Lions have already made adjustments. Kayode Awosika has stepped in for Mahogany, while Trystan Colon took over for Glasgow during the Thanksgiving game. Had Ragnow been able to return, he would have resumed his role at center and allowed Glasgow to shift back to left guard, where he performed well in 2024.

Despite the challenges, the Lions’ offensive line has shown resilience. Although they have not struggled significantly, the injuries have disrupted their preferred lineup. Ragnow, a four-time Pro Bowler, has consistently been regarded as one of the league’s top centers. In the past five seasons, he has allowed just four sacks and received a grade of 90.0 from Pro Football Focus three times, highlighting his exceptional performance.

The Lions will now rely on Awosika, Colon, and Glasgow to fill the critical positions on the offensive line. Awosika has primarily played guard in his career, while both Colon and Glasgow have experience at multiple positions, providing the team with several potential combinations. Additionally, rookie Miles Frazier has recently returned from the non-football injury list and could be considered for a role in the lineup. Frazier primarily played right guard during his college career but has also lined up at left guard.

Future Implications for Frank Ragnow

Looking ahead, Ragnow’s age suggests that he may have the option to attempt a comeback in 2026. However, his initial retirement stemmed from a history of injuries throughout his career, with his only full season occurring in 2020. Given that this latest injury has halted his return, it may reinforce his decision to step away from the game.

Campbell indicated that there have been no discussions concerning Ragnow’s future, stating, “Nothing has been discussed about 2026 for Frank Ragnow and whether he’ll try to play next season,” according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. As the Lions navigate this setback, they must quickly adapt and find ways to maintain their performance in the absence of one of their key offensive players.