On paper, the Lions' starting offensive line is one of the strongest in the NFL. We won't see it on the field this season.
Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow, who was placed on injured reserve with turf toe after Detroit's Week 4 loss to the Bears, is undergoing season-ending toe surgery to ensure that he returns to the field in 'full health' in 2022, according to Ian Rapoport.
It's yet another blow to the Lions, who have lost numerous starters to injuries on both sides of the ball. That includes the offensive line, where left tackle Taylor Decker has yet to play this season due to a finger injury. With Decker nearing a return, figures that Ragnow goes down.
"Unfortunately this is not the first time I’ve seen this or been a part of this as a player or a coach," Dan Campbell said Tuesday on the Stoney & Jansen Show. "Sometimes when these things hit, this is how it hits. It’s all about the next man up. Somebody else is going to get an opportunity and we have to help them make the most of their opportunity and give them a chance to have success.
"It’s tough, but everybody in the league is dealing with this, and you do every year. So we gotta help these guys that are up play at their max."
Backup center Evan Brown will continue to cover for Ragnow, who was playing the best football of his career after signing a $54 million extension with the Lions in the offseason. Hopefully, he can pick up next season where he left off.