Less than a week after stunning the NFL by agreeing to come out of retirement to rejoin the Detroit Lions, an injury revealed during a routine medical examination has reversed Frank Ragnow’s plans.
Tough news for all Lions fans. Just a tough year. Feel bad for Frank—must have been disappointing to make that decision then find out he couldn’t go.
Hopefully the Lions come back in 2026 healthy, focused, and ready to make a run. Hoping we draft an edge and a center. Hoping we bring in a new OC. This team needs work.
Glad Ragnow wanted to be courageous and sacrifice for the team. That shows the grit that the Lions are all about. Also glad that the docs and advisors came to the conclusion that it wouldn’t be best for him. Considering the Lions have slim chances of making the playoffs, the high risk of injury isn’t worth a lifetime of pain and problems.
Loved Ragnow and sad he retired/couldn't come back to help down the stretch but this is the best (worst) outcome. It gives Holmes a clear path for OL drafting or FA in 2026. No distractions, no hoping for returns. Rebuild that strength of the offense.
Justin, in talking to your fellow beat reporters around the league, do you find a wide disparity with injury disclosures? Chargers waited 5 weeks to confirm that Hampton had a fracture. Where do Lions rank on transparency? (Asking for a friend who plays fantasy.🧐)
Haven't had those kinds of conversations. Teams have requirements they must follow, which are bare minimum. Dan is generally helpful. Patriots crew and Caldwell were not. Body part has to be announced when a player doesn't practice or leaves a game, but not when placed on IR.
The ghost of Bobby Layne is still alive, well and meddling when even a guy who’s been fishing a summer has a hammy…
I’ll bet he would’ve passed the physical hadthe Lions beat Green Bay.
Tough news for all Lions fans. Just a tough year. Feel bad for Frank—must have been disappointing to make that decision then find out he couldn’t go.
Hopefully the Lions come back in 2026 healthy, focused, and ready to make a run. Hoping we draft an edge and a center. Hoping we bring in a new OC. This team needs work.
It was TGTBT I guess. I wish him the best. The NFL is great entertainment but also a destroyer of bodies and sometimes, souls.
If this isn't the biggest bag-over-the-head, punch-in-the-face I ever got
Glad Ragnow wanted to be courageous and sacrifice for the team. That shows the grit that the Lions are all about. Also glad that the docs and advisors came to the conclusion that it wouldn’t be best for him. Considering the Lions have slim chances of making the playoffs, the high risk of injury isn’t worth a lifetime of pain and problems.
Frank must have watched the GB game and pulled a hammy. He sees what we all see and decided ice fishing is better.
Loved Ragnow and sad he retired/couldn't come back to help down the stretch but this is the best (worst) outcome. It gives Holmes a clear path for OL drafting or FA in 2026. No distractions, no hoping for returns. Rebuild that strength of the offense.
I’m already done with this team.
I really wish they had held off on the big splashy posting about it until they at least did the medical
If he really misses the game, he should think about coaching. He’s a smart player and has a lot to offer
As a Lions fan I’m used to getting kicked in the nuts, but this hurts!
Another example of this not being the year for the Lions
This has been the worst Thanksgiving ever. I guess Dan didn't quite shake those pants out enough in 2022. Onto a better 2026.
Maybe should’ve tempered expectations with the announcements that he still had to pass physical. They acted like it was a done deal
It literally HAD to be on the transaction report on Wednesday. They couldn't hide it.
Justin, in talking to your fellow beat reporters around the league, do you find a wide disparity with injury disclosures? Chargers waited 5 weeks to confirm that Hampton had a fracture. Where do Lions rank on transparency? (Asking for a friend who plays fantasy.🧐)
Haven't had those kinds of conversations. Teams have requirements they must follow, which are bare minimum. Dan is generally helpful. Patriots crew and Caldwell were not. Body part has to be announced when a player doesn't practice or leaves a game, but not when placed on IR.
Mind over body--not this time. Hope he has a great retirement and does a lot of fishing.