Detroit Lions: Center Frank Ragnow plays despite fracturing his throat

The Detroit Lions’ center played three quarters with a fractured throat

The center for the Detroit Lions is one tough dude. And that’s evidenced by the fact Frank Ragnow reportedly played more than three-quarters of Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers with a fractured throat. That according to a source informed of the situation via NFL.com.

Ragnow apparently suffered the devastating injury, which seems to be more common in hockey players, during the first quarter against the Packers. But most of his teammates had no idea anything was wrong.

Everyone but quarterback Matthew Stafford and his backup, Chase Daniel, that is after Ragnow told them that he couldn’t talk and they’d have to make the calls instead. Stafford has had his own injury issues to deal with, leaving the game against the Packers late with a rib injury. He’s also been throwing with an injured right thumb for weeks.

Both Ragnow and Stafford popped up on the Lions’ injury report on Wednesday as neither was a participant during the team’s weekly practice session. It’s unclear whether either will be able to play this Sunday against the 9-4 Tennessee Titans in Nashville.

The 24-year old center is able to eat and breathe normally according to ESPN’s Michael Rothstein. And what Ragnow is dealing more with is a vocal cord contusion that hindered his ability to speak.

According to Pro Football Focus, Ragnow has played 871 offensive snaps so far this season, allowed zero sacks, and committed two penalties. His overall PFF grade of 80.5 is the highest of his three-year NFL career.

Ragnow is believed to be on pace to earn his first Pro Bowl nomination in 2020. But fan totals from earlier this month showed the center for the Philadelphia Eagles, Jason Kelce, as the current vote leader in the NFC.

Fortunately, coaches and players also have a big say about which players get nominated to the Pro Bowl. So Frank Ragnow could certainly be elected that way. And after his display of toughness on Sunday, his legend is growing.