It was the return that wasn't. Two days after deciding to come out of retirement to rejoin the Lions down the stretch, Frank Ragnow failed his physical at the team facility Friday and will not be returning, after all.
The Lions announced Saturday that Ragnow's "medical exam revealed a Grade 3 hamstring strain that will keep him from participating for the remainder of the regular season. For that reason, Frank will not be rejoining the Lions."
"Frank has always been a team-first guy and is a true warrior. He will forever be a Lion," the team added.
It's not clear if this impacts plans next season for Ragnow, with the Lions holding his contractual rights through 2026. Dan Campbell told reporters Saturday that nothing beyond this season was ever discussed.
“It was just, once we realized the severity of it, and he did, that’s just where it went," Campbell said. "Nothing was discussed past the news that you guys just got."
The 7-5 Lions will soldier on without him.