The Detroit Lions suffered more than a loss to the Minnesota Vikings in their latest NFC North showdown — they came out of the game battered, particularly on the offensive line. Rookie guard Christian Mahogany is expected to miss significant time after his injury, while starters Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker are both questionable for Week 10.
With so many key pieces hurting, head coach Dan Campbell faces a major challenge in keeping the offensive front stable. While fans have speculated about a possible return from retired center Frank Ragnow, Campbell made it clear that such a scenario isn’t in the cards.
Speaking on Costa & Jansen on 97.1 The Ticket, Campbell flatly dismissed the idea, saying, “That ship has sailed,” per Lions insider Dave Birkett.
Ragnow retired unexpectedly during the offseason at age 29 after seven impressive seasons in Detroit, including three straight Pro Bowl appearances. His departure, though understandable given the physical demands of his position, left a noticeable gap in the Lions’ offensive line.
To address that void, Campbell turned to veteran Graham Glasgow as the new starting center, flanked by Christian Mahogany and rookie Tate Ratledge. With Mahogany now sidelined, the Lions are evaluating multiple lineup options. One possibility is sliding Glasgow over to guard and letting Ratledge take over at center.
During Sunday’s loss, Kayode Awosika stepped in for Mahogany, while Dan Skipper filled in briefly for Decker. Awosika appears most likely to start at left guard against Washington in Week 10, but Trystan Colon could also enter the mix if the coaching staff decides to shuffle positions again.
A return from Ragnow would have given Detroit a proven veteran presence familiar with the team’s system — but Campbell’s comments leave no doubt that door is closed. Now, the Lions must rely on their depth and internal adjustments to hold things together as they move forward.
