Heartbreaking Frank Ragnow update could've just doomed Lions' season

It has been a brutal few days for the Detroit Lions.

Despite facing the reality of a tough defeat to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving, the Lions had renewed hope after All-Pro center Frank Ragnow announced his stunning decision to come out of retirement. Unfortunately, it only lasted three days.

The Lions have announced that Ragnow has failed his physical after a "medical exam revealed a Grade 3 hamstring strain." It means he will no longer return this season.

Lions' offensive line woes deepen after Frank Ragnow fails his physical

It's a truly heartbreaking update for Ragnow and the Lions. His return would've not only solved the center crisis but also allowed Graham Glasgow, once healthy, to shift back to guard. Ragnow's return would've fixed two problems.

An offensive line of Taylor Decker, Glasgow, Ragnow, Tate Ratledge, and Penei Sewell is as good as any. With games against the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, and Chicago Bears still to come, it's the boost the Lions' offense needed.

READ MORE: Isaac TeSlaa sends a loud message to Dan Campbell in Lions' Thanksgiving loss

Glasgow will now resume his role at center once healthy, which leaves significant concerns at left guard. According to Pro Football Focus, Kayode Awosika has allowed five pressures and three sacks over the past two weeks.

With Glasgow out, Trystan Colon started at center against the Packers and allowed two pressures.

The Lions must now find a way to improve their pass protection without the return of a four-time Pro Bowler in Ragnow. The positive is that Detroit did sustain several promising drives against Green Bay, even after losing Amon-Ra St. Brown to injury. The game could've gone differently if the Lions had taken advantage of a few opportunities, like Jameson Williams' fourth-down drop.

They will also need more help from a defensive unit that allowed four touchdowns to Jordan Love, and the Packers to score on five of their eight possessions, and that's not including the final drive where Love converted a fourth-down pass to Dontayvion Wicks to drain the clock.

But this one is tough. The Lions' offensive line has become a serious problem in recent weeks with injuries piling up. Help is no longer on the way, and a tough five-game stretch to close out the season now looks even more daunting.

The Lions sit outside of the playoff positions and every game is now a must-win. It will take a collective effort with Ragnow's return officially off.