The news of four-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow coming out of retirement to return to the Detroit Lions sent shockwaves through the Motor City on Thanksgiving Eve. Now that he’s officially back, the next question is simple: when will he actually return to the field?
Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day matchup versus the Green Bay Packers is obviously off the table. There still needs to be a ramp-up period before the Lions thrust their 6-foot-5, 311-pound center back into the lineup.
The Lions’ final game of their three-game homestand — next week’s Thursday Night Football matchup against the Dallas Cowboys — presents the first realistic window for Ragnow to take his first snaps since last season, potentially.
However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the scenario is considered “unlikely for now.”
According to the report, the most likely return target is Week 15, when the Lions travel to face Matthew Stafford and the red-hot Los Angeles Rams. Wednesday was the deadline for Ragnow to come out of retirement for this season.
Per league rules, a player on a team’s reserve-retired list must be reinstated before that club’s Week 13 game — which for the Lions is Thursday’s matchup against Green Bay.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport added that Ragnow “sounds like he’s in shape and ready to roll sooner, rather than later.”
Ragnow and the Lions were said to have stayed in contact throughout his retirement, discussing what a potential return might look like. And for an injury-riddled Lions offensive line, his timing couldn’t be better.
Current starting center Graham Glasgow — who has been Ragnow’s replacement this season — will miss Thursday’s game with a knee injury after not practicing all week.
Ragnow’s return will naturally put him back in his old role, but it raises another question: what happens with Glasgow once Ragnow’s ramp-up period is complete?
Glasgow could slide back to left guard, where he started before Ragnow retired. But starter Christian Mahogany has been seen around the facility as he recovers from a lower-leg injury and is eligible to return after the Lions’ Week 14 game against the Rams.
While the Lions have plenty to sort out, the focus now shifts to preparing their Pro Bowl center for his first NFL action since Detroit was eliminated by the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round of the 2024 playoffs.
Ragnow announced his retirement in June through a post on Instagram, saying he was stepping away from the game after seven seasons.