Detroit Lions player discusses whether he plans to retire or play in the NFL again in 2024.
Before the NFC Championship, Detroit reported Ragnow’s ailments on the official injury report as including toe, ankle, knee, and bag. Although he was able to play despite the agony, the problems were far more serious than had been made public.
Ragnow battled through excruciating agony and anguish this past autumn and into the postseason after battling an “inoperable” toe ailment the previous season. One of the reasons the organization was willing to be patient and allow him to make his own decisions about his future was the expectation that the injuries he sustained would have long-term effects after he left the sport.
Following their defeat in the NFC Championship Game, the Detroit Lions quickly found out that Ben Johnson, their offensive coordinator, would be back in 2024. Frank Ragnow, an All-Pro center, had no idea what his future held until recently.
Ragnow, who turns 28 in May, had a stellar season and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the third time and named to the All-Pro team twice. Even though he struggled with injuries this past season, Detroit wasn’t certain whether its offensive line leader would be back in 2024. On the official injury report before the NFC Championship, Detroit listed Ragnow with bag, knee, ankle, and toe injuries.
He managed to play through the pain, but the severity of the issues was much worse than publicly reported. After dealing with an ‘inoperable’ toe injury the season prior, Ragnow played through severe pain and discomfort this past fall and throughout the postseason.
The injuries he suffered are expected to have long-term consequences post-football, which is one of the reasons why the organization was going to be patient in letting him decide his future.
