This week, the Detroit Lions posted a picture of Frank Ragnow- the very one that he had posted on his retirement earlier this year. They gave no context or statement, ‌but news still came. “Four-time Pro-Bowl center Frank Ragnow is coming out of retirement and returning to the Lions,” the NFL posted on X. 

Even Frank himself announced via his Instagram that he is coming out of his retirement. This was great news for the Lions, who had had hiccups in their defense before the retirement and then even lost the Thanksgiving game to the Packers, though this joy was short-lived. 

"Frank Ragnow reported to our facility yesterday and went through the normal process of meetings," the Lions said in a statement. "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."

What this means is that the former Detroit Lions guard will remain a former one as he would not be allowed on the field this season, and a 2026 return is not in the discussion, as per Dan Campbell. “It was just once we realized the severity of it — he did — then that’s just where it went. So nothing was discussed past the news that you guys just got,” the Lions head coach said. 

A big reason for Ragnow failing the test was the hamstring soreness he was suffering from. Campbell said that the team was informed of the injury in conversations with Ragnow, but nobody knew, “the severity of it until we had the final physical”. For context, a grade 3 hamstring strain is a complete tear of one or more hamstring muscles, and there’s no way one could play any outside sport in that. 

It's a big blow to the Lions, who have lost games recently, and even a bigger one to Ragnow, who was looking forward to making the defense work and adding some more flowers to his career. Nevertheless, the Lions' head coach, while sad, is also moving on. 

Campbell is sad over Frank Ragnow situation, but not stuck 

Talking of the former player, Campbell said. “Look, of course we’re disappointed, just because Frank’s such a good dude and a great teammate and he’s a productive player. But at the same time, he’s injured, too. So you quickly move off of that and know what it is…We adjust, we move on, and we’re onto Dallas now.”

When Ragnow retired, he retired with 6,617 total snaps, starting all 96 games of his career with over 3,300 pass-blocking snaps at center with only 6 sacks allowed. Also, in the 2024 season alone, he played 1,060 offensive snaps. He would have been a great addition to the team, but, as the HC said, he is injured and cannot play; the team is now focused on facing the Dallas Cowboys in their next game. 

Ragnow’s need was felt when their starting Guard, Graham Glasgow, was ruled out of the Thanksgiving-week game against the Green Bay Packers due to a knee issue, despite having played every snap in the most recent game before that. Is he good to go against the Cowboys? “I haven’t heard any news lately on Graham. I know he feels better. I do know that,” Campbell said. Let us know what you make of this whole Frank Ragnow situation, and also your prediction for the Cowboys vs Lions game? 

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Joyita Das