Center Frank Ragnow rejoining Lions just months after surprise retirement

Frank Ragnow is back.

The longtime Detroit Lions center is coming out of retirement to join the franchise again, the Lions announced on Wednesday. It’s unclear when Ragnow will actually make his debut with the team again, but he is “in shape and ready to roll sooner, rather than later,” according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Ragnow, a four-time Pro Bowler, had been away from the Lions during OTAs this past summer, and there was speculation that he was unhappy with his contract. Ragnow was signed through the 2026 season, and was due to make a little more than $9 million in 2025.

But Ragnow, 29, instead opted to retire from the league completely in June after seven seasons with the franchise. The Lions first selected him with the No. 20 overall pick in 2018 out of Arkansas, and he’s been the cornerstone of their offensive line ever since.

Ragnow had battled several injuries in recent years, too. He has dealt with toe problems, knee and ankle injuries and played through last season with a partially torn pectoral muscle. Undoubtedly, that injury management went into his decision to retire.

Whenever Ragnow does return, he should provide a big boost to the Lions offense as they enter the last stretch of the season. The team is entering their Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers with a 7-4 record, fresh off a wild overtime win against the New York Giants last weekend. The Lions still hold Ragnow's contractural rights for this season and next season, so his contract will still be in place when he does officially land back with the team.

The Lions are working toward their third straight playoff appearance this season, which is something they haven’t pulled off since the early 1990s. They went 15-2 last season and made it to the divisional round of the playoffs, which was their deepest postseason run since 1983.

Ragnow won’t be available to play on Thursday against the Packers, and it’s unlikely that he will be ready for their game next Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That likely means that Ragnow could make his return to the field for the team’s matchup with the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 14.