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The Detroit Lions thought they were in for a huge boost to their offense when four-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow came out of retirement to join the team.
However, the Lions announced Saturday that Ragnow had failed his physical and would not rejoin the team.
“Frank Ragnow reported to our facility yesterday and went through the normal meeting process. Unfortunately, during the routine meeting with our medical team, Frank failed his physical,” the Lions said in a statement.
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Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow warms up before the game between the Detroit Lions and the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, December 15, 2024. (Junfu Han/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“The medical examination revealed a grade 3 hamstring strain which will prevent him from participating for the remainder of the regular season. For this reason, Frank will not rejoin the Lions.”
“Frank has always been a team player and a true warrior. He will always be a Lion.”
Ragnow, 29, abruptly retired from the team in June. He posted on social media that he tried to convince himself he was ready to play, but said it was instead time to prioritize his health. He had spent his entire seven-year career with the Lions after being drafted by the team in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
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Frank Ragnow of the Detroit Lions attends an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on December 30, 2024. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
“I gave this team everything I had and thought I had more to give, but the reality is that’s just not the case,” Ragnow said in a June Instagram post. “I have to listen to my body and this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life.”
“These past few months have been very trying as I realized that my football journey was coming to an end and that I was officially retiring from the NFL,” Ragnow continued. “The Lions organization has been absolutely incredible throughout this entire process and I can’t stress enough how grateful I am to this team and all the fans. It’s been an absolute honor to fight for all of you.”
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After the 2021 season, Lions general manager Brad Holmes made Ragnow the highest-paid center in the league at the time with a four-year, $54 million contract. The center made the Pro Bowl in consecutive seasons after signing the contract, as he remained one of the best centers in the sport despite injuries throughout his career.
Ragnow’s return would have been a big boost for the 7-5 Lions, who are battling for a Wild Card spot after losing to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving.
