Frank Ragnow won’t be joining the Lions after all.
The 29-year-old offensive lineman, who suddenly retired in June, reported to Detroit’s facility on Friday for a physical, according to a press release from the team.
During the check-up, Lions doctors found that Ragnow had a grade three hamstring strain that would have sidelined him for the rest of the regular season, ending his short-lived comeback to football.
“Frank has always been a team-first guy and is a true warrior,” the team wrote in a statement posted to social media. “He will forever be a Lion.”
Ragnow, a first-round pick in 2018 by the Lions out of Arkansas, played seven seasons for the Lions before shockingly stepping away from the sport last June.
He made four Pro Bowls for Detroit, playing mostly at center.
Previously one of the best in the sport, the Lions’ offensive line has taken a step back this season without Ragnow, struggling to protect quarterback Jared Goff, who has been sacked 26 times. That puts him on pace to have the most in a single season during his time in Detroit.
After falling to the Packers on Thanksgiving Day, the Lions are 7-5 and would be outside the NFC playoff picture if the season ended today.
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When announcing his retirement earlier this year, Ragnow had cited health reasons for his decision.
“These past couple of months have been very trying as I’ve come to the realization that my football journey is ending and I’m officially retiring from the NFL,” Ragnow wrote on Instagram.
“I’ve tried to convince myself that I’m feeling good but I’m not and it’s time to prioritize my health and my families [sic] future. I have given this team everything I have and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don’t. I have to listen to my body and this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life. The Lions organization has been absolutely incredible throughout this process and I can’t emphasize this enough how grateful I am for this team and all the fans. It was an absolute honor going to battle for you all.”
