Since being taken 20th overall by them in the 2018 draft, Frank Ragnow has been a pillar of the Detroit Lions offensive line. He's a three-time Pro Bowler, including each of the last two seasons. Since moving to center in his second season, has been the literal centerpiece of the unit as he has become one of the best centers in the league.
But it's hard to ignore the injuries Ragnow dealt with over the course of the 2023 season alone. It was enough to fuel a bit of retirement speculation, which he quickly squashed. Still, it's fair to say Ragnow's career will be shortened by the accumulation of injuries he has dealt with.
A report from Sportskeeda's Tony Pauline back in April suggested this could be Ragnow's final season. While that doesn't feel likely, it also can't be completely ruled out.
Ragnow personifies the "grit" culture Dan Campbell has fostered. He was literally better than any other center in the NFL last year, based on Pro Football grade anyway, even as compromised as he was physically.
Let's take a look at Ragnow's injury history, with some details of note.
Frank Ragnow injury history
Early Career and Initial Injuries
Ragnow started all 16 games for the Lions at left guard as a rookie in 2018. As previously mentioned, he moved over to center in his second season.
In September of 2019, Ragnow suffered an ankle injury but he did not miss any games. He suffered a concussion on Nov. 17, 2019, and missed the following game.
In October of 2020, Ragnow suffered a groin injury that did not cost him any games.
Major Injuries and Recovery Phases
Fractured throat (2020)
- Ragnow suffered a fractured throat in the first quarter on Dec. 13, 2020. He did not come out of that game, but he missed the following two games before returning for the season finale. This was the first indication of just how tough he is.
- There has not been any obvious impact on the rest of Ragnow's career. He said he thought the injury was caused by pads hitting his neck in awkward fashion, and he literally just couldn't talk for two weeks. That had an obvious impact on his off the field life, up to including when he became a Pro Bowler for the first time and communicating with his then-fiancee.
- "I wanted to FaceTime my mom and I literally couldn't talk to my mom," Ragnow said. "That was just frustrating wanting to celebrate with my family because they were really excited" (about the Pro Bowl selection).
"My fiancee wasn't too happy with me, because, you know, I'd use it to my advantage," Ragnow explained with a smile. "Like 'Hey, can you do the dishes?' Can't talk, I can't answer, and all kinds of stuff like that."
Turf toe (2021)
- Ragnow suffered a turf toe injury on Oct. 3, 2021. He missed the rest of the season (13 games) after having to have surgery to fix a torn plantar plate.
- The issue to the same toe popped up again early in the 2022 season, and it continues to be something Ragnow deals with as his workload is managed during practice weeks. It has not directly/solely cost him games since the initial injury.
- Ragnow once called his turf toe issue "inoperable", which he later softened.
Other injuries
Groin (2022)
- Ragnow missed Week 2 of the 2022 season with groin injury he was listed with in Week 1, with the recurrence of the aforementioned toe issue also subsequently mentioned as a secondary issue.
- With all the other lower body ailments Ragnow has dealt with, this groin issue lands down the pecking order in terms of lingering impact on his performance.
Calf (2023)
- Ragnow missed Week 8 of the 2023 season due to a calf injury. He was not listed with the specific ailment on subsequent weekly injury reports.
Back (2023)
- Ragnow was at times listed with a back issue during the 2023 season. It was not cited as specifically costing him any games.
Knee (2023)
- Ragnow suffered a knee injury on Dec. 3, 2023 (Week 13), and he missed the following game. Actually, only the following game might be a better way to say it. He had surgery on his meniscus, and returned to the lineup in Week 15.
Knee/Ankle (2023)
- Ragnow suffered a sprained ankle and knee in the Lions' Divisional Round playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He did not miss a snap, partially due to some fortunate timing of being injured close to halftime and that allowing him to get taped up in the locker room.
- After the game, Ragnow acknowledged a little bit of frustration due to the sheer volume of issues he had been dealing with.
"To me, the pain, I’m not trying to sound like some brute tough guy here, but I was just more frustrated than anything with the fact that it’s just, again, you know?" "It was tough. But it was worth it.”
- Ragnow played every snap the following week in the NFC Championship Game.
Partially Torn Pectoral (2024)
- Ragnow suffered a partially torn pectoral in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals. He will miss Week 4, but head coach Dan Campbell suggested an IR stint won't be happening.
Recurring Issues and Long-Term Impact
- As previously noted, Ragnow's turf toe is an ongoing issue he will manage and deal with for the rest of his career with the help of the Lions' medical staff. A multi-week absence, should he aggravate the injury enough, always feels like it could be around the corner.
- More broadly, without stretching too deeply into medical territory, a kinetic chain effect of the toe issue is easy to assume, causing residual injuries for Ragnow along the line of which he has had (knee, calf, groin, back, etc.).
- Turf toe is a common, dreaded and miserable, injury for NFL players. Many recover, but remain keenly aware of it well afterward. Careers have been derailed and shortened to varying degrees by it, including Hall of Fame Steelers' linebacker (and all-time tough guy) Jack Lambert. It has certainly impacted, and likely taken a couple years off, Ragnow's career.