Last we heard on Frank Ragnow, "he’s probably out in, like, Canada fishing," Graham Glasgow said last month. Now the All-Pro center is returning to Detroit.
About six months after calling it a career, Ragnow is coming out of retirement to play for the Lions as they pursue a playoff spot with six games remaining in the season.
Ragnow and the Lions have remained in touch since his decision to retire in June, exploring the possibility of his return. The communication, per a team source, was healthy, with neither side exerting any pressure or making any demands.
Wednesday was the deadline by which a player on the NFL's reserve/retired list can be reinstated this season. Conversations between Ragnow's camp and Lions' brass heated up Wednesday afternoon, with Ragnow's decision finalized a few hours before the deadline.
Ragnow played through several injuries the last few seasons, which is what drove him into retirement. He wrote when he stepped away that "I've tried to convince myself that I'm feeling good but I'm not and it's time to prioritize my health and my family's future."
About 10 months removed from his last NFL game, Ragnow will need time to acclimate before he can take the field, but it "sounds like he's in shape and ready to roll sooner, rather than later," per Ian Rapoport. He could make his debut as soon as next Thursday against the Cowboys, though Week 15 against the Rams is more likely.
Either way, Ragnow's return is huge for an offensive line that has struggled this season without him, especially on the interior. Glasgow, typically a guard, has filled Ragnow's spot and ranks No. 24 out of 33 qualified centers this year, per PFF. Ragnow ranked No. 2 last year.
Ragnow will likely bump Glasgow back to left guard, where he played last season, with rookie Tate Ratledge remaining at right guard next to Penei Sewell.
Ragnow is close friends with Glasgow and left tackle Taylor Decker. Asked in October about Ragnow, Glasgow said that "we'll talk every now and then, but he’s just doing his own thing. I really don’t even know how much he’s paying attention to what’s happening here."
Decker said earlier this season that Ragnow probably wasn't even watching the Lions' games.
"Living his best life," said swing tackle Dan Skipper, another close friend of Ragnow's.
But apparently Ragnow was keeping tabs. Watching his former teammates struggle in his absence might have been too much to bear, along with the fact that Ragnow walked away with two years remaining on his contract and the Lions on the verge of a Super Bowl each of the last two seasons.
Now he's back, in hopes of helping them finish what they started.