Not So Fast: 4-Time NFL Pro Bowler Comes Out Of Retirement Only To Be Sent Back Following Failed Test
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
In another brutal blow for the slumping Detroit Lions, it turns out that former All-Pro center Frank Ragnow will not be returning after all.
On Wednesday, news broke that Frank Ragnow was coming out of retirement to return to the Lions. In the summer, the four-time Pro Bowler stunned everybody by initially announcing his retirement at the age of 29.
But in a stunning update, the Lions announced on X/Twitter that Ragnow failed his physical and will therefore not return to the team. After his medical exam, it was discovered that he’s dealing with a Grade 3 hamstring strain.
Statement from the Detroit Lions pic.twitter.com/0qHJXzg35t
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 29, 2025
It’s a significant blow for Dan Campbell’s squad, as their interior o-line has been an issue this year. Ragnow’s replacement, Graham Glasgow, has a 59.3 Pro Football Focus grade that ranks 28th among 37 centers.
Lions Must Find A Way To Get By Without Frank Ragnow
It’s been clear-as-day since Week 1 that the Lions’ offense is surely missing Ragnow. Replacing a top-five center in football is much easier said than done, and it doesn’t help that the rest of the interior o-line has struggled this season.
At any rate, Detroit has to find a way to resolve the pass-blocking issues if it’s going to reach the playoffs for the third straight year. Losing Ragnow to retirement was a big blow, but an offense with as much talent as Detroit’s also can’t be too reliant on the presence of one player.
The Lions fell 31-24 to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday and are currently the eighth seed in the NFC. They’ll stay in Motor City and prepare for another Thursday night clash with the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14.
