The [Detroit Lions](https://detroitnews.sports.gracenote.com/football/nfl/team/1) are considering everything as they figure out how to proceed without starting left guard Christian Mahogany.
Well, everything except calling former All-Pro center Frank Ragnow, who hung up the cleats this summer after seven NFL seasons.
During his weekly radio interview on [97.1 The Ticket’s “Costa & Jansen with Heather” show](https://www.audacy.com/stations/971theticket/shows/costa-jansen-with-heather-75a38/episodes/dfb6f95c75f4/chapters/0117a3d3fe15?action=AUTOPLAY_FULL&actionContentId=801-c3f79e1f-43ef-44ca-bd72-c065d72e5e8e), Campbell said the “ship has sailed” on Ragnow coming out of retirement to rejoin the Lions’ offensive line.
“Here’s what I know about Frank: If Frank really wanted to (play), he would be blowing my phone up, and I haven’t gotten a text yet,” Campbell said.
While Ragnow’s sudden retirement was crushing, it was also hardly a surprise. Ragnow dealt with numerous chronic injuries in the years leading up to his final season and had openly talked about life after football on a few occasions. Last month, Ragnow’s wife, Lucy, announced on Instagram that the couple had just welcomed their second child into the world.
“I think Frank is feeling good about his decision and, look, they just had another baby, so happy for them,” Campbell said. “That ship has sailed.”
Campbell did, however, hint at a potential shake-up on the offensive line following Mahogany’s injury, which is expected to sideline him until late December at the very least, and provided a semi-positive update on the injury status of offensive tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell.
After saying both players were up in the air for Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders, Campbell reaffirmed that position.
“It seemed a little more positive as of last night, he and Penei both, but I still don’t know for sure (if they can play Sunday),” Campbell said.
As for the combination of interior offensive linemen that will be taking the field in Landover, Md., Campbell said they’re considering a few different options involving Trystan Colon, who can play both guard and center. Following Mahogany’s injury on Saturday, it was Kayode Awosika who finished the game.
“I see (Awosika), I see Colon getting some reps at guard, maybe center as well,” Campbell said. “I mean, we may mix some things up here and move some guys around a little bit. Still thinking through all this while I’m getting ready for these guys and game-planning.
“But then we got (Michael) Niese on vet squad, we got (Devin) Cochran on vet squad, we got Kingsley (Eguakun) on vet squad, so we’ve got options here, and it’s about finding the right combination of guys, really, and then just letting them cut it loose, get used to each other, and freaking play relentless, hard-nosed, finishing football.”
All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph was one of the players the Lions hoped to get back after the bye week, but he remained inactive with a knee injury for a second straight game in Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field.
Joseph has battled knee injuries since training camp, but had powered through until Week 7, when the team chose to shelf him after he was seen hobbling all over the field at Arrowhead Stadium the week prior.
The hope is to get Joseph in a position where it doesn’t bother him at all the rest of the season, which could result in more games missed.
“The irritation is not going away as fast as we had hoped, so there is improvement, but it’s just not quite there yet, and we’re not gonna force this thing until we get it as calmed down as we possibly can, because if we can keep from it, we don’t have to revisit this every week once he comes back. Now, maybe that happens anyway, whenever he comes back,” Campbell said.
“But yeah, we were hoping it would resolve itself a little bit quicker or cleaner, it’s just not there yet.”