Frank

Ragnow

Lions head coach Dan Campbell told us earlier this week that Ragnow was expected to play on Sunday, so this isn’t much of a surprise. Ragnow missed Week 4 with the pec injury but got a Week 5 bye to recover. Pro Football Focus has Ragnow graded as a top-10 center through a month of football.

Ragnow missed the Lions’ Week 4 win over the Seahawks due to his injury but has had additional time to recover thanks to their bye week. Ragnow suffered the partially torn pectoral in Week 3 and was hoping to play through it early on, but out of precaution, the team opted to play it “smart” buy sidelining him for at least one game. Campbell also said the team hopes to have safety Brian Branch back following the bye.

Ragnow continues to be one of the better centers in the league, making his absence due to a pectoral injury notable as the Lions prepare to face the Seahawks. Seattle could force more pressure in the backfield on pass plays due to Ragnow’s absence.

Ragnow suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 3 against the Cardinals. He wanted to suit up for Monday night against the Seahawks, but Campbell said the team would be “smart” and keep Ragnow sidelined for at least a week. Ragnow is a big loss for a Detroit offensive line graded by PFF as the league’s seventh best pass blocking unit.

However, he also said that Ragnow “wants to go” and that the team isn’t sure what they’ll do with him yet. Ragnow is one of the best centers in the NFL, and a torn pectoral is generally a lengthy recovery process that knocks most players out for the season. This’ll be one to monitor going forward for the Lions. Ragnow did play through the injury in Week 3, taking every snap. Campbell added he wants to do “what’s best for both parties.”

This isn’t a surprise. The Lions said earlier in the week that Ragnow would play, and head coach Dan Campbell doubled down on that sentiment Friday when he said Ragnow “will be ready to go.” Ragnow was listed as a full participant in Friday’s practice after being a DNP on Wednesday and Thursday. It will take more than four separate injuries to keep him off the field Sunday.

Ragnow is listed as having ankle, toe, knee and back injuries on the Lions’ official injury report. He didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but will reportedly play in this weekend’s NFC title game. Whether or not he practices on Friday seems inconsequential as far as Sunday goes, as the Lions have hinted at him playing all week.

Ragnow missed only a few plays after exiting with multiple injuries and appears ready to gut things out on Sunday against the 49ers. The Lions’ All-Pro center started in 15 games for the Lions the season and also received his third Pro Bowl nod of his career. Ragnow suiting up is good news for the Lions, who lost guard Jonah Jackson to a slight meniscus tear. Jackson should have a chance to return for the Super Bowl if the Lions win on Sunday.

Ragnow missed last week’s contest against the Bears but was limited on Tuesday and Wednesday before being upgraded to full on Thursday. Despite the questionable tag, Ragnow is trending toward playing in Week 15 and should be good to go barring an unexpected setback.

With both Ragnow and LT Taylor Decker back at practice, the Lions could have all five starters on the offensive line active for the first time in weeks. That would be great news for Jared Goff and the rest of the Lions offense in a tough showdown against a surging Broncos defense this weekend.