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Lions center Frank Ragnow coming out of retirement, returning to team ahead of Thanksgiving game

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones5 hours agobrianjones_93

Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow is coming out of retirement and will return to the team before its Thanksgiving game. On Wednesday, the team shared a photo of Ragnow in uniform and coming out of the tunnel, indicating he’s coming back.

Frank Ragnow was with the Lions from 2018 to 2024. In June, the former Arkansas Razorbacks star announced his retirement because he wanted to  “prioritize my health” and his family’s future.

“These past couple of months have been very trying as I’ve come to the realization that my football journey is ending and I’m officially retiring from the NFL,” Ragnow wrote in a post on social media. “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 families (sic) future.

“I have given this team everything I have, and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don’t. I have to listen to my body, and this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life. The Lions organization has been absolutely incredible throughout this process, and I can’t emphasize this enough how grateful I am for this team and all the fans. It was an absolute honor going to battle for you all.”

When will Frank Ragnow make his 2025 debut with the Lions?

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, a source told him that the reason Ragnow is returning to the NFL is that he “loves the game.” Ragnow won’t see the field during the Lions’ Thanksgiving game, but Schefter said that his first chance to play will be next Thursday when the Lions take on the Dallas Cowboys. Ragnow will likely see the field for the first time this season on Dec. 14 when Detroit takes on the Los Angeles Rams.

Schefter also pointed out that Wednesday was the deadline for Ragnow to come out of retirement for this season. He is on the Lions’ reserve/retired list, and the Lions still hold Ragnow’s contractual rights for two seasons.

Ragnow became one of the top centers in the NFL after having a stellar career at Arkansas. The 29-year-old was selected to the Pro Bowl four times and named to the All-Pro Second Team three times.