Frank Ragnow misses practice Thursday, Lions add center to practice squad

Frank Ragnow has joined the list of banged up Lions’ offensive lineman, and with his game status in question a center was added to the practice squad.

First it was right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who went on IR with a back injury. Then his listed replacement on the depth chart, Tommy Kraemer, popped up with a back injury of his own. Center Frank Ragnow was limited by a groin injury during Wednesday’s practice, and then he sat out completely after walkthroughs on Thursday.

The Lions’ interior offensive line is increasingly banged up, just in time to face a very good Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive line in Week 1.

A 2020 Pro Bowler, Ragnow was sidelined after the first four games last season with a toe injury. He played through a fractured throat during that 2020 campaign, so no one will or should question his toughness. He initially wanted to, and thought he could, play throught last year’s turf toe that required surgery (via MLive).

"At first I thought I could completely deal with it because there wasn’t much pain,” Ragnow said in January. “But from a functional, balance and a movement standpoint, it was very unrealistic for me to think that I could be the player that I could be. That was what was so frustrating for me, because I thought I could tolerate it.”"

With Frank Ragnow’s status in question, Lions add center to practice squad

Seemingly in reaction to Vaitai and Kraemer’s injuries, the Lions brought offensive tackle Darrin Paulo back to their practice squad earlier this week. On Thursday, with Ragnow’s status for Sunday a legit question, they swapped Paulo out for center Ross Pierschbacher. Behind Evan Brown, who will start on Sunday if Ragnow can’t go, Kraemer is the only other Lions’ lineman with any experience at center.

The Lions could be down two of their five offensive line starters on Sunday, and it’s possible a third (Penei Sewell, Jonah Jackson) will be moved off their typical spot to take Vaitai’s place with Kraemer looking iffy.

Friday’s final Week 1 injury report will be telling. But if Ragnow is listed as questionable, bet on him doing everything he can to play.