What's happened
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow, who recently came out of retirement, failed a physical due to a hamstring injury. Despite initial reports of his return, the injury prevents him from playing this season. Ragnow had retired in June citing health concerns but was reinstated last week, highlighting ongoing issues with the Lions' offensive line.
What's behind the headline?
The situation with Ragnow underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the Lions' offensive line, which has struggled to protect quarterback Jared Goff this season. Ragnow's injury reveals the persistent health issues that led to his retirement and now threaten his comeback. His case highlights the difficulty NFL teams face in balancing player health with team needs. The Lions' decision to reinstate Ragnow, despite medical setbacks, suggests a high level of confidence in his recovery potential, but the injury's severity indicates that his return to full form may be delayed or unlikely this season. This incident also raises questions about the team's medical assessments and decision-making process, especially given the earlier optimism about his return. Moving forward, the Lions will need to adapt their offensive line strategy, possibly relying more on backup players, which could impact their playoff prospects.
What the papers say
The AP News reports that Ragnow failed a physical due to a hamstring injury, which will sideline him for the rest of the season. The NY Post highlights that Ragnow's return was initially celebrated, but subsequent medical findings have dashed those hopes. The conflicting reports from these sources reflect the uncertainty surrounding his health status and the team's decision-making process. The AP emphasizes the injury's impact on the Lions' offensive line, while the NY Post discusses the broader implications for team strategy and future planning. Both sources underscore the importance of player health in NFL roster decisions and the potential consequences for the Lions' playoff run.
How we got here
Ragnow retired in June citing health reasons after a career marked by injuries, including a fractured throat in 2021. The Lions reinstated him off the retirement list last week, hoping he would bolster their struggling offensive line. His return was initially seen as a boost, but subsequent medical checks revealed a serious injury that prevents him from playing this season.
Go deeper
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Frank Ragnow is an American football center for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He played college football at Arkansas, and was selected by the Lions in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
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The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League as a member club of the National Football Conference North division. The team plays its home games at Ford Field in Detroit.
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Jared Thomas Goff is an American football quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a first-team All-Pac-12, and was selected by the Rams as the