The Detroit Lions received the best possible news on Wednesday, as it was confirmed that center and fan favorite Frank Ragnow would be coming out of retirement. The good news is just that - That Ragnow will be returning to snap the ball in the Motor City. The bad news is that we'll have to wait a bit to see him back in a Lions uniform.
To say that the Lions offensive line has missed Ragnow this season would be an understatement. The o-line has not gelled without him and he was clearly the glue holding this unit together.
That much was clear as early as the first play of the Lions' Thanksgiving game against the Packers. On their first drive of the game, the Lions gained just two yards on a Jahmyr Gibbs run but the snap from Trystan Colon was awkward enough that it caused Jared Goff to stumble when handing off to Gibbs.
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It didn't get any better from there. The Lions' next two plays resulted in back-to-back incompletions by Goff due to immediate pressure from the Packers pass rush. Had Ragnow been back in time on that first drive, that snap probably doesn't come out awkwardly like that and Gibbs would have been able to do what he does best, which is fight for yards. Furthermore, the pass protection would have been better on the next two plays.
Lions can't wait to see Frank Ragnow back after rough first drive
Adam Schefter reported that Ragnow's return to the Lions starting lineup would likely come in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams, meaning he won't be starting next week against the Cowboys either. While it'd be nice to have him back immediately, especially in this huge divisional matchup against the Packers that could determine who wins the NFC North, having him back at all will be a sight for sore eyes.
We've seen the Lions offensive line thrive with Ragnow and we've seen the unit flounder without him. If he can get a few weeks of regular season action under his belt before the playoffs, that could be just what this team needs to propel them on a Super Bowl run.