Lions center Frank Ragnow optimistic about continuing to play through toe injury

A significant toe injury has hampered much of the last two seasons for Lions center Frank Ragnow, but he’s trying to remain optimistic.

Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow suffered a torn plantar plate in his left foot against the Chicago Bears in Week 4 of the 2021 season, and missed the rest of the campaign. He suffered the same injury during the first series of last year’s season opener, but he only missed the following game.

During last season, via Justin Rogers of The Detroit News, Ragnow revealed he was doing to continue to play through the injury during the week between games. He earned his second career Pro Bowl selection playing on one good foot, allowing just one sack all season.

Speaking at his skeet shooting charity event on Thursday, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Ragnow talked about his toe injury.

"It’s a deal where it’s kind of inoperable, so it’s kind of something that we’re trying to navigate,” Ragnow said. “Manage. But hopefully, its not going to be near to the altitude of last year where it was like brutal.”"

Ragnow said there is “no healthy tissue left ” in his toe and surgery is a no-go, at least for now.

"(So) it would have to be an experimental procedure to get that done and that’s not something the NFL O-linemen are in the business of,”"

How big a concern should Frank Ragnow’s toe injury be for the Lions?

A big key will be managing Ragnow’s practice workload as he deals with this toe issue, and that’s obviously starting right now during offseason work.

As for if the issue will be something he deals with for the rest of his career, Ragnow said, per Birkett, he doesn’t think so.

"Cause it’s like turf toe, right?” Ragnow said. “It’s the most severe degree turf toe. It just depends on how it impacts different guys. Like it’s different cause your sesmoid’s moving and stuff, but a lot of guys, they don’t even get the surgery so it just depends. But hopefully it scars over and that’s kind of how it’s been and it’s a lot better.”"

Ragnow will continue to play through his toe issue, and given how well he played through it last year his level of play shouldn’t be a big concern. Not necessarily, anyway.

But if Ragnow has to miss time, the Lions will have a big issue. Evan Brown filled in very capably for him in 2021 and started the one game at center Ragnow missed last year, but he signed with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency.

Ross Pierschbacher, he of one regular season offensive snap in his career, is now Ragnow’s primary backup. The return of Graham Glasgow provides someone with a lot of experience who can play center, but he was not very good there with the Denver Broncos in 2022. Glasgow will be competing for the starting job at right guard with Halapoulivaati Vaitai.

Ragnow hopes the worst of his injury is over. The Lions are hoping too.