The bad news keeps snowballing for the Detroit Lions during a busy Thanksgiving week. After falling to their division-rival Packers for the second time this season on Thanksgiving afternoon, Detroit received some bad news about a fan-favorite player’s potential return.
Due to some injuries along the offensive line, particularly at center, the Lions lured franchise legend C Frank Ragnow out of retirement. At just 29 years old, the three-time All-Pro shocked the football world when he announced his retirement this offseason. The Lions were left scrambling to replace him, sliding Graham Glasgow over to center and inserting rookie Tate Ratledge at right guard and second-year pro Christian Mahogany at left guard.
With Glasgow currently dealing with a knee injury, the Lions attempted to bring Ragnow back from retirement. Unfortunately, Ragnow failed his physical, and the team announced on Saturday that will not be rejoining the Lions this season. It’s a major blow to Detroit’s offense, as the reinforcements they were hoping for will not be coming.
The Detroit Lions’ Official Statement on Retired C Frank Ragnow
Gregory Shamus/GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 17: Frank Ragnow #77 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ford Field on November 17, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Lions’ official statement on Ragnow’s attempted comeback reads as follows:
“Frank Ragnow reported to our facility yesterday and went through the normal process of meetings. Unfortunately, during the routine meeting with our medical team, Frank failed his physical.”
“The medical exam revealed a Grade 3 hamstring strain that will keep him from participating for the remainder of the regular season. For that reason, Frank will not be rejoining the Lions.”
“Frank has always been a team-first guy and is a true warrior. He will forever be a Lion.”
The Detroit Lions are Left Searching for Answers
It hasn’t been the year the Lions hoped for. After earning the NFC’s No. 1 seed in 2024 and being upset by the upstart No. 7-seed Commanders in the divisional round, the Lions were looking for an encore in 2025 with a longer postseason run. However, that hasn’t gone as planned.
At 7-5, the Lions currently sit outside the playoff picture and were swept by the Packers, all but guaranteeing they can’t win the NFC North. In fact, they currently sit in third place in the division, with the Bears pacing the group at 9-3. With the Cowboys, Rams, Steelers, Vikings, and Bears on deck, it doesn’t get any easier in Detroit.
The Lions rank fourth in both total offense and scoring offense, so the production has been there. But losing genius offensive coordinator Ben Johnson this offseason, who left to be the head coach in Chicago, is a major blow. Ragnow’s retirement and the resulting reshuffling of the offensive line hasn’t hurt Detroit’s run game much, but their pass protection has suffered tremendously.
Overall, the Lions are still in position to make a major playoff push down the stretch. But it’s a crowded wildcard scene in the NFC and it could get even more so in the coming weeks. The Lions don’t have any margin for error moving forward.
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