NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
The Detroit Lions thought they were going to get a big boost to their offense when four-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow came out of retirement to rejoin the team.
However, the Lions announced Saturday that Ragnow failed his physical and will 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.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
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 that will prevent him from participating for the remainder of the regular season. For that reason, Frank will not rejoin the Lions.”
“Frank has always been a team-first guy and is 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 had tried to convince himself he was ready to play, but said it was time to prioritize his health. He had spent his entire seven-year career with the Lions after being selected by the team in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
NFL OFFICIALS UNDER CRITICIZE FOR GRANTING TIMEOUT TO PACKERS AFTER APPARENT FALSE START
Frank Ragnow of the Detroit Lions watches during 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’ve given this team everything I have and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I just don’t,” Ragnow said in an Instagram post in June. “I have to listen to my body and this has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life.”
“These last few months have been very difficult as I have realized that my football journey is ending and I am officially retiring from the NFL,” Ragnow continued. “The Lions organization has been absolutely incredible throughout this process and I cannot emphasize enough how grateful I am for this team and all the fans. It was an absolute honor to fight for all of you.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
Combine FOX One and FOX Nation to stream the entire FOX Nation library, plus live FOX news, sports and entertainment at our lowest price of the year. Offer ends January 4, 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)
Following 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 game despite battling injuries throughout his career.
Ragnow’s return would have been a big boost for the 7-5 Lions, who are in the middle of the battle for a wild card spot after losing to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day.
