Frank Ragnow was conspicuously absent from the Detroit Lions’ injury reports through three weeks, likely due to the accumulation of injuries from last season and his ongoing management of a turf toe issue. That moment has passed.
The three-time Pro Bowl center is reportedly “week to week” following a partly torn pectoral injury sustained early in the Week 3 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on Monday night.
Although Ragnow sustained the injury early in the game, according to Rapoport, he played all 68 snaps against the Cardinals and appeared to have recovered well after his difficult performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2.
Ragnow’s apparent prolonged play despite a partially torn pec is merely another evidence of his toughness—as if we needed more after the plethora of injuries he sustained throughout the previous campaign. Not to mention his shattered throat in 2020, which prevented him from missing more than two games after it occurred because he was essentially unable to speak. He played through it during that game.
The Lions’ extensive list of injuries now includes Frank Ragnow.
It is unclear how the Lions will replace Ragnow if he misses time. The simplest fix is to switch Graham Glasgow from left guard, as was done the season before when Ragnow missed two games. Then Michael Niese or Kayode Awosika, who started three games at left guard in the previous campaign, would probably take over. Niese might also take Ragnow’s spot at center straight.
Glasgow is also hurting, having injured his arm against the Cardinals and appearing on practice reports the previous week with a knee problem.
Head coach Dan Campbell made no mention of Ragnow’s injury during his press conference on Monday. However, it can probably be forgiven if there was no news to report, as linebacker Derrick Barnes (knee) is expected to be out for some time, and other notable players (Sam LaPorta, Brian Branch, and Alim McNeill) were injured on Sunday. Edge rusher Marcus Davenport (elbow?/torn triceps?) is also out for the season.
In the interim, and until further information becomes available, Ragnow is at the very least dubious for Week 4’s matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. The Lions will be grateful for their Week 5 bye following that due to the extensive list of injuries.
