Tag: Frank Ragnow

Breaking down how the Lions fared in AP’s All-Pro voting

Breaking down how the Lions fared in AP’s All-Pro voting, which saw 13 different Lions get at least one vote

The Lions ended up being well-represented on this season’s Associated Press All Pro teams. Four Lions were named to the First Team, including wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, right tackle Penei Sewell, safety Kerby Joseph and punter Jack Fox.

Plenty more Lions either made the Second Team or at least received some votes towards All Pro. We’ll take a look here at how all the Lions that received votes fared. The full voting results can be found here.

Starting at wide receiver, St. Brown was one of the three wide receivers to make the First Team, along with Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. St. Brown received 40 out of 50 first-place votes and totaled 130 points. First-place votes received three points with second-place votes worth one point. Fellow wide receiver Jameson Williams also received one second-place vote.

Frank Ragnow was named Second Team All Pro at center. Chiefs center Creed Humphrey was selected to the First Team. Ragnow received four first-place votes and 35 total votes. Humphrey ran away with the vote, getting 44 first-place votes.

Kevin Zeitler finished fourth among right guards with 26 points (six first-place votes). Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz was named to the First Team with 74 points and 22 first-place votes and Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom was named to the Second Team with 60 points and 15 first-place votes.

Sewell is the First Team right tackle after scoring 119 points and 35 first-place votes, beating out Philadelphia’s Lane Johnson, who landed on the Second Team with 76 points and 15 first-place votes.

Despite only playing five games this season, Aidan Hutchinson received one second-place vote at edge rusher. Hutchinson was dominant in those five games, recording 7.5 sacks, including 4.5 in Week 2 against the Buccaneers. Myles Garrett (Browns) and Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) were named to the First Team with T.J. Watt (Steelers), Nik Bonitto (Broncos) and Andrew Van Ginkel (Vikings) on the Second Team. Bonitto and Van Ginkel finished tied with 18 points, so they both were named to the Second Team with Watt.

Two linebackers earned votes. Jack Campbell scored 16 points and earned two first-place votes. Alex Anzalone, despite missing most of the second half of the season, also garnered a second-place vote. Zack Baun (Eagles), Fred Warner (49ers) and Roquan Smith (Ravens) earned First-Team honors, while the Second Team linebackers are Frankie Luvu (Commanders), Bobby Wagner (Commanders) and Zaire Franklin (Colts).

Joseph led all safeties with 120 points and 37 first-place votes to land on the First Team with Packers safety Xavier McKinney. Kyle Hamilton (Ravens) and Budda Baker (Cardinals) were named to the second team. Brian Branch ended up the first safety out, finishing fifth among the position with 19 points. Baker had 38 points and seven first-place votes, for reference.

Fox just beat out Jaguars punter Logan Cooke for the First Team honors at punter. Both received 15 first-place votes, so it came down to second-place votes. Fox received 17 to Cooke’s 13.

Kalif Raymond, even with missing time due to injury, landed on the Second Team at kick returner, scoring 60 points and 11 first-place votes. Marvin Mims Jr. of Denver earned First-Team honors with 114 points and 35 first-place votes.

Last but not least, Hogan Hatten earned a second-place vote at the long snapper position. Not bad for an undrafted rookie!

Seven Lions named to 2025 Pro Bowl roster

Seven Lions named to 2025 Pro Bowl roster, more than any other NFC team

The Detroit Lions are well-represented on this year’s Pro Bowl roster in Orlando, Florida. Seven players were named to the roster, which was announced Thursday morning. Only the Baltimore Ravens (9) had more players selected.

The list starts at the top with quarterback Jared Goff, who was also named the starting quarterback for the NFC. Goff will be joined by Jayden Daniels (Commanders) Sam Darnold (Vikings) on the roster.

Goff is now a four-time Pro Bowl selection, having also gone following the 2017, 2018 and 2022 seasons. It’s his second Pro Bowl selection in three seasons in Detroit. Goff is second in the NFL with 4,398 yards and fourth in the league with 36 passing touchdowns.

Jahmyr Gibbs is now 2-for-2 in reaching the Pro Bowl. Gibbs has 1,759 scrimmage yards and 16 total touchdowns this season. Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley will be the starting running back and Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs will also be on the roster.

Amon-Ra St. Brown will be one of the two starting wide receivers for the NFC, along with Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson. This is the third Pro Bowl selection for the Sun God, who is fourth in the NFL with 1,186 yards and is tied for second with 12 receiving touchdowns. The other player with 12 touchdowns, Terry McLaurin of the Commanders, is also on the roster as is Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb.

The offensive line had a lot of love in fan voting, but only two are on the initial roster. Offensive tackle Penei Sewell and center Frank Ragnow are not only on the roster, but were named starters up front. It’s the third selection for Sewell and the fourth for Ragnow. Lane Johnson will start along with Sewell at offensive tackle. The starting guards are Landon Dickerson (Eagles) and Tyron Smith (Cowboys).

On defense, the Lions have one selection and it is not Kerby Joseph. It is fellow safety Brian Branch, who is going to the Pro Bowl for the first time. Branch has 103 tackles, four interceptions, 15 passes defended, one sack and a forced fumble. Budda Baker gets the start at strong safety for the NFC.

Only one free safety was selected, which squeezed Joseph out. That spot went to Green Bay’s Xavier McKinney.

The last Pro Bowler, at least for now, for the Lions is punter Jack Fox. Fox is second in the NFL with a 51.0 punting average. Perhaps more importantly, he leads the league with a 46.3 net average. He’s the only punter with a net average above 45.

As a reminder, while these players were named to the Pro Bowl, their goal is to reach the Super Bowl. Players that reach the Super Bowl end up not playing in the Pro Bowl, as they’ll be preparing and traveling for the big game. Being selected to the Pro Bowl is certainly an honor, but the Lions ultimately want to end up in New Orleans, not Orlando.

The Lions injury report from Thursday shows considerable improvement

The Lions injury report from Thursday shows considerable improvement, with several players returning after missing Wednesday’s session

It’s still not nearly as clean as hoped for, but the Detroit Lions practice participation report for Thursday’s session looks a lot more promising than Wednesday’s first edition.

After nine players were idle on the first practice of Week 16, all but three returned in some capacity to Thursday’s practice. Two of the three who remained out are starting offensive linemen, however.

Left guard Graham Glasgow and center Frank Ragnow both remain sidelined. Glasgow is listed with a knee injury, while Ragnow has a back malady. The injury status could help explain the substandard performances from both in the Week 15 loss to Buffalo.

The other player remaining out is running back David Montgomery, who is expected to miss the rest of the season with an MCL injury. Montgomery and the Lions are still in the evaluation process on how to handle his torn knee ligament.

Safety Brian Branch upgraded from out with a listed calf issue on Wednesdsay to full participant on Thursday.

Five players who rested on Wednesday returned in full:

LT Taylor Decker
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
DT DJ Reader
RG Kevin Zeitler
EDGE Za’Darius Smith

It was also the first sighting of LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin. He’s been on I.R. for several weeks but has started his 21-day activation window. Reeves-Maybin, a key special teams player as well as subpackage LB, was limited with his neck injury.

Another player designated to return from I.R., safety Ifeatu Melifonwu made it through a second straight practice as a full participant. He’s missed the entire season with an ankle injury and a subsequent hand injury that forced the Lions to activate him — only to immediately place him back on I.R. His second activation window began on Monday.

 

 

Lions offensive line has 3 of the best linemen at not losing on plays

The Lions offensive line has 3 of the best linemen at not losing on plays, including the best center and tackle in blown block/pressure rate

By this point of the season, it’s well established that the Detroit Lions have one of the best overall offensive lines in the NFL. Many analysts and analytics label the Lions line as No. 1 in the league.

One of the reasons why is the consistency of performance. Every lineman is going to have a bad play here or there, but the Lions are very good at having a lot fewer than normal. Three Detroit linemen in particular rank in the top eight in the entire league in blown block rate.

Center Frank Ragnow checks in at No. 2 in the rate of fewest blown blocks and pressures allowed, as determined by FTN Advanced NFL Stats data. Only perennial Pro Bowler, guard Brandon Scherff of the Jaguars (and formerly the Commanders) tops Ragnow’s 1.19 percent combined metric.

That rate is the best among centers, with Ragnow tied with Steelers rookie Zach Frazier. Ragnow has one blown block and eight pressures allowed in 758 snaps.

Lions right tackle Penei Sewell has the top blown/pressure blocking rate amongst all tackles at 1.54 percent. Sewell is the only tackle in the top 20 listings. He’s No. 7 overall, one spot ahead of Lions teammate Kevin Zeitler, who plays to Sewell’s inside shoulder at right guard.

These metrics are all subjectively determined, so the actual figures aren’t as important as the place in the overall pantheon of blocking. And the Lions have three of the eight most consistent at getting their job done, including the best center and tackle in the league.

Lions injury report: Lots of good news from Thursday’s practice

Lions injury report: Lots of good news from Thursday’s practice, with only one player out

Thursday’s practice session at the Lions training facility in Allen Park featured almost full participation. That’s a great uptick after several Lions players sat out of Wednesday’s practicLions players sat out of Wednesday’s practice.

All players on the active roster except one were full participants on Thursday. The one missing was starting DE Josh Paschal, who sat out with an undisclosed illness. Everyone else was back, including all five offensive linemen who missed the prior day.

Also, Thursday was the first sighting of safety Ifeatu Melifonwu in more than a month. Melifonwu is on injured reserve with an ankle injury, but he was spotted working with trainers off to the side. He will be eligible to return from I.R. in Week 9.

Lions see some changes in the latest injury report

Lions see some changes in the latest injury report, including a full return by Brian Branch but a setback for Kevin Zeitler

The injury and practice participation report from the Detroit Lions on Thursday didn’t feature any new names from the previous day. That’s a good thing for the Lions as they prepare to head to Minnesota to play the unbeaten Vikings in Week 7.

Thursday’s report featured upgrades to safety Brian Branch and reserve offensive lineman Dan Skipper. Both practiced in full. Branch, the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week, was limited with a knee issue on Wednesday. Skipper sat out Wednesday with a rib injury. Center Frank Ragnow returned as a full participant after his veteran rest day on Wednesday.

Alas, there was a setback with one offensive lineman. Starting right guard Kevin Zeitler was listed as limited with a groin injury. That’s a downgrade from Zeitler’s status on Wednesday, when he sat out as a veteran rest day.

Remaining sidelined is starting cornerback Carlton Davis. He is dealing with a quadriceps issue. It is not related to the potential brain injury he suffered in the Week 6 win in Dallas.

[lawrence-related id=113468]

 

 

Lions vs Vikings: Wednesday injury report medical analysis

Lions vs Vikings: Wednesday injury report medical analysis for both Detroit and Minnesota

DETROIT LIONS

Carlton Davis (NP) quad, CB

Davis left the game after getting a cleat to the head early in the 3rd quarter. Good to see no concussion or head on the report.

As far as his quad, there were no signs of any leg issue during his final drive. Guessing this is a precautionary issue and we will see him with an LP/FP on Thursday which would put him on track to play.

Brian Branch (LP) knee, S

The knee listing is a surprise but the LP suggests there is nothing serious going on. It’s possible he landed hard on his knee during his interception return early in the 4th quarter. He played the first two plays of the next drive without obvious issues, but then was replaced by Brandon Joseph the rest of garbage time. Branch looked to be in good spirits on the sideline.

Unless there is a surprise NP on Thursday, I’d expect him to play vs the Vikings.

Dan Skipper (NP) ribs, OT

Skipper hurt his right ribs in game three vs the Cardinals but didn’t miss a game. He was wearing a visible protective pad on that right side during the Cowboys game. Regardless, he felt good enough to “run” a WR route late in the 4th quarter. Expect him to be available vs the Vikings.

Frank Ragnow (NP) rest, C

Good to see that Ragnow’s pec is not on the report. He strained his left pec 3.5 weeks ago and the Cowboys game was his first game back. He was taken out late in the 4th quarter during garbage time but will be available vs the Vikings.

Kevin Zeitler (NP) rest, OG

Like Ragnow, Zeitler was removed from the game late in the 4th during garbage time. He will also be available on Sunday.

Christian Mahogany (FP) illness, OG

After a bout of mono starting in July, this 6th-round rookie started practicing again on Tuesday October 8. From a physical standpoint, the mono likely has not been an issue for over 1.5 months. Because he is so far behind from a mental standpoint, I expect him to max out the full 21-day practice window. Expect him to be put on the active roster around October 29.

NOTABLES

Aidan Hutchinson was placed on IR with a left tib/fib fracture. Expect him back in limited fashion for the Super Bowl.

Kyle Peko was placed on IR with left pec surgery. He is out for the year.

Kerby Joseph hurt his hamstring during practice last week. Good to see he is unlisted this week.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Blake Cashman (NP) toe, LB

A turf toe issue will likely keep this important LB out this Sunday. He played 100% of snaps the past two games.

Aaron Jones (NP) hamstring, RB

A right hamstring (or iliotibial band issue based on where it was wrapped) will very likely keep Jones out. The Vikings traded for Cam Akers this week so we may see a lot of him.

Harrison Phillips (NP) shoulder, DT

This starting nose tackle would be a big loss in the middle.

TJ Hockenson (LP) knee, TE

Hockenson may not be ready to play this week coming off his ACL suffered against the Lions last year.

Akayleb Evans (NP) hip, CB

Evans is a special teamer who hasn’t played on defense in the past four games.

Patrick Jones (NP) shoulder, DE

Jones has five sacks on the year so his loss could be impactful.

Dalton Risner (LP) back, OG

Risner has yet to play this year due to injury.

The full report:

Lions vs Cowboys: Final injury report medical analysis

Lions vs Cowboys: Final injury report medical analysis for the Week 6 matchup in Dallas

It’s early in the week but the Lions look to have the health advantage heading into the Cowboys game. The Cowboys just recently lost three impact edge rushers in Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Marshawn Kneeland. Similarly but to a lesser caliber, the Lions lost two edge players recently in Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes.

The Cowboys also have had two players’ expectations downgraded over the course of the week in Eric Kendricks and DaRon Bland.

On the positive side, the Lions are returning a couple key players coming out of the bye in Frank Ragnow and Brian Branch, while the Cowboys are likely returning Caelen Carson.

DETROIT LIONS

A new listing popped up during the week with Kerby Joseph.

Kerby Joseph (UL LP FP – IN) hamstring, S

A hamstring strain in practice landed him on the Thursday report but won’t keep him out. Recall that Joseph also strained a hamstring before game 2 but did not miss the game.

Frank Ragnow (FP FP FP – IN) pec, C

After straining his left pec three weeks ago, he is ready to play vs the Cowboys with no concerns.

Brian Branch (FP FP FP – IN) illness, S

Branch missed one game after a concussion three weeks ago and an illness two weeks ago. He is more than ready to go now with no concerns.

Christian Mahogany (FP FP FP – OUT) illness, OG

After a bout of mono starting in July, this 6th-round rookie started practicing again on Tuesday October 8. From a physical standpoint, the mono likely has not been an issue for over 1.5 months and the 3x FP supports this. He will be inactive though since he is far behind mentally and there are many players ahead of him on the depth chart.

DALLAS COWBOYS

Downgrades in expectation over the week include DaRon Bland and Eric Kendricks.

With three of their top edge players out, the Cowboys will be relying on Chauncey Golston and Tyrus Wheat. Golston is a 4th-year player, who has five sacks in his career and picked up a half sack last game. Wheat is a 2nd-year player with 0.5 career sacks who got significantly more playing time last game.

Micah Parsons (NP NP NP – OUT) ankle, LB

This elite pass rusher will miss the Lions game due to a high ankle sprain.

Eric Kendricks (NP NP NP – OUT) calf/shoulder, LB

Kendricks played 100% of defensive snaps last game which makes his out designation a surprise. This could be a big loss in the middle of the defense. Lions fans are very familiar with Kendricks who played eight years in Minnesota.

DaRon Bland (FP FP NP – Questionable) foot, CB

This 1st-team All-Pro CB has been out the whole season due to a stress fracture in his 5th metatarsal but was expected to make a limited return this Sunday. However, an NP on Friday puts his return in doubt.

Bland’s injury is in the location of a Jones fracture which is a tricky injury due to the higher risk of malunion (non-healing bone) and refracture. The NP could indicate a setback of some kind.

Caelen Carson (FP FP FP – Questionable) shoulder, CB

Carson has been inactive the past two weeks but with 3x FP, I expect him to play on Sunday. He played 98% of defensive snaps three weeks ago so his return will boost the Cowboys secondary.

Nick Vigil (NP NP NP – Questionable) foot, ILB

Vigil has not played a defensive snap the last three games but plays regularly on special teams. Three NP suggests out.

Tyler Guyton (FP FP FP – IN) knee, LT

This 1st-round rookie starter exited the last game due to a left knee injury. The injury is reportedly minor and the 3x FP confirms this. He will start on Sunday. In case there is an aggravation, look for Tyler Smith to move from LG to LT and TJ Bass to insert at LG.

Trevon Diggs (FP NP FP – IN) ankle/illness, CB

Diggs played 100% of defensive snaps last week. A new issue popped up during the week but won’t keep him out.

Zack Martin (NP NP FP – IN) rest/back, OG

 

NOTABLES UNLISTED

Demarcus Lawrence DE, right foot Lisfranc – IR

This star DE is a big loss for the Cowboys and may be out for multiple months.

Marshawn Kneeland DE, right knee meniscus – IR

This 2nd-round rookie who was filling in for the loss of Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence left the last game due to a torn lateral meniscus. He had arthroscopic surgery this week and is on IR.

Brandin Cooks WR, right knee infection – IR

A joint infection is a serious issue that requires IV antibiotics and drainage. The loss of Cooks may not have a significant impact as the Cowboys have a dangerous WR corps of CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert, and KaVontae Turpin. The Lions secondary will be getting no breaks here.

Here is the full report:

All Lions on the active roster are healthy coming out of the bye week

All Lions on the active roster are healthy coming out of the bye week, including All-Pro C Frank Ragnow

The Detroit Lions are coming out of the bye in Week 5 in very good condition. In fact, all of the players on the active 53-man roster are healthy enough to practice ahead of the Lions’ Week 6 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys.

Detroit technically did not practice on Wednesday thanks to the bye week and coming off Monday Night Football in Week 4, so the practice participation report released by the team is only an estimate. But every single Lions player, including C Frank Ragnow and S Brian Branch, were estimated to be full participants if the team did hold a practice.

Branch and Ragnow each missed the win over Seattle. They are the only players on the active roster who earned any injury designation on the update. Rookie OL Christian Mahogany was also designated as a full participant as he continues to progress toward activation from the non-football illness list. Mahogany began his 21-day window to be activated during Tuesday’s practice.

Lions Monday Medical Update after the bye week

Lions Monday Medical Update after the bye week on the status of Frank Ragnow, Brian Branch, Derrick Barnes and more from the bye week

Good news and bad news came out of Dan Campbell’s press conference on the Monday after the bye.

GOOD NEWS: Regarding the status of Frank Ragnow and Brian Branch, “They were both out there practicing today. As of right now, they look good.”

BAD NEWS: Regarding Derrick Barnes potential return, “It’s tough to say right now. We will be fortunate to get him at any point this year.”

With this information, here is my updated analysis of these players’ injuries:

Frank Ragnow left pec strain

Ragnow hurt his pec two weeks ago on September 22 with an expected short-term recovery. With the news that Ragnow is already practicing, that’s further evidence that the pec strain was not severe and may not have even involved the tendon. Expect him to play vs the Cowboys.

Brian Branch concussion/illness

Branch’s concussion was two weeks ago on September 22. He had cleared the protocol and was set to play last Monday night, but an unspecified illness the day prior sidelined him. Just speculating here, but there may have been a concern that some of the illness symptoms were possible post-concussion symptoms so giving him a game off was a “better-safe-than-sorry” move.

His doubtful designation (vs out) for last Monday implied that the illness was nothing long-term, thus neither the concussion nor the illness was expected to keep him out for the next game. With Branch practicing today, that means there have been no setbacks and he should play vs the Cowboys.

Derrick Barnes right knee

Barnes injury was on September 22 and video suggested a possible MCL sprain or more. Campbell’s comments today are not optimistic but there is still a chance Barnes could be back this year. It’s not a complete ACL tear as there would be no talk of a return.