Frank Ragnow, given all the stuff he dealt with last season and the ongoing management of a turf toe injury, was notably absent from Detroit Lions' injury reports through three weeks. That time is over.
On Monday night, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the three-time Pro Bowl center is "week to week" after suffering a partially torn pectoral early in the Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Sources: #Lions Pro Bowl and All-Pro center Frank Ragnow suffered a partially torn pec, making him week-to-week. A brutal reality for one of the NFL’s toughest players, who injured it very early in the game. But the belief is it’s not season-ending and he could be back soon. pic.twitter.com/B8gk1KBk24
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 24, 2024
Rapoport reported Ragnow suffered the injury early in the game, but he played all 68 snaps against the Cardinals and by all accounts had a nice rebound performance after a rough outing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2.
Playing what seems to be most of the game with a partially torn pec is just more proof of how tough Ragnow is, if we needed more after the list of injuries he played with last season. And don't forget about the fractured throat in 2020, which he played through for the rest of that game and only missed two games after because he literally couldn't talk.
Frank Ragnow added to long list of injuries for the Lions
If Ragnow misses time, it's not totally clear how the Lions will replace him. The most obvious solution, as was done last year when Ragnow missed two games, is to move Graham Glasgow over from left guard. Then Kayode Awosika, who started three games at left guard last year, or Michael Niese would likely step in at left guard. Niese would also be an option to directly replace Ragnow at center.
Glasgow is also banged up himself, after suffering an arm injury against the Cardinals and popping on practice reports last week with a knee issue.
During his press conference on Monday, head coach Dan Campbell made no mention of any injury for Ragnow. But with edge rusher Marcus Davenport (elbow?/torn triceps?) out for the season, linebacker Derrick Barnes (knee) likely out awhile and other notable players injured on Sunday (Sam LaPorta, Brian Branch, Alim McNeill), that can probably be excused if there was no news to offer.
For now, pending further updates, Ragnow should at least be considered very questionable for Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks. The lengthy list of injuries will have the Lions broadly welcoming their Week 5 bye after that.