Detroit Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley said Frank Ragnow “definitely has plenty in him” if he wants to play again in 2026, though Ragnow’s longtime position coach won’t lobby for the Pro Bowl center’s return.
“No,” Fraley said Wednesday, Dec. 10, in his first comments since Ragnow’s short-lived return was halted by injury. “If he wanted to be back, though, that door is open. But it’s all good, though. I’m very happy for him and not disappointed at it at all.”
Ragnow retired abruptly in June after seven NFL seasons, then came out of retirement the day before the Lions’ Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers.
The Lions placed Ragnow back on the reserve/retired list Dec. 1, two days after announcing he failed his physical to end his comeback.
Fraley shed more light Wednesday on Ragnow’s injury, a Grade 3 hamstring strain that Fraley said he suffered while training for his comeback.
“He got a little nicked up in his training,” Fraley said. “He’s been training the whole time. He just doesn’t turn it off, but unfortunately it didn’t go that route and I am not disappointed at all it’s just unfortunately he had that, what was it, a Grade 3 or whatever it turned out to be and just think he just thought it was a little tweak. That’s how tough he was, and that’s how tough he was when he played here.”
Ragnow played through an assortment of injuries in his seven seasons in Detroit, including a torn plantar plate in his left foot that cost him most of the 2021 season. He reinjured his toe in 2022, dealt with chronic foot problems the last few years and also played through knee and pectoral injuries and fractured cartilage in his throat.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 15: Frank Ragnow #77 of the Detroit Lions looks on prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on September 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan.
Fraley said he learned of Ragnow’s intention to try to play again this season in a phone call shortly before the news became public.
He said he has not spoken to Ragnow since, except by text, and insisted his daughter – a huge Ragnow fan – has had more trouble dealing with the emotional whiplash of Ragnow’s re-retirement than him.
Ragnow, 29, remains under contract through 2026.
“I know Frank’s mentality,” Fraley said. “If he’s all in, he’s all in and he’s out, he’s out. But wish him and his wife nothing but the best out there in Minnesota and we’ll always be friends and like family.”
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