Tag: Frank Ragnow

Week 4 preview and prediction: Seahawks @ Lions

Week 4 preview and prediction: Seahawks @ Lions

The Seattle Seahawks are seeking their third 4-0 start in franchise history, and their first since the 2020 season. Standing in their way is a quality Detroit Lions team, hungry to end their current six-game losing skid to the Seahawks.

Since defeating Seattle 28-24 in the 2012 season, the Lions have struggled mightily against the Seahawks, especially at home, where they have lost the last two-straight games in each of the last two seasons. In both instances, Seattle outlasted Detroit in wild 48-45 and 37-31 (OT) shootouts. Offensive fireworks have defined the recent series, but on Monday, injuries seem to be taking the center stage.

For the Lions, they will be without their All-Pro center Frank Ragnow, which is a considerable loss to their offensive line. Unfortunately, the Seahawks may not be as able to take advantage as they would have even a week ago. Seattle has already ruled out defensive tackles Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II, as well as pass rushers Boye Mafe and Uchenna Nwosu. The Seahawks defense, particularly the pass rush, has been outright suffocating. Without some of the best players on their defensive front, Jared Goff and Co. may have more time than what quarterbacks this season who have played Seattle have enjoyed.

So the Lions offensive line is weakened, and the Seahawks defensive line is as well. It appears to be a battle between a movable object and a stoppable force. But in today’s NFL, take the side of a weaker offense vs. a weakened defense. Seattle has also shown vulnerabilities against the run, which has plagued this unit for years.

To win this game, the load is likely going to have to be shouldered by the offense. Fortunately for the Seahawks, this unit is getting Kenneth Walker III back into the fold after missing the two previous weeks. Having Walker be the primary ballcarrier, with Zach Charbonnet being able to come off the bench for a change of pace, will help give Seattle’s ground attack more teeth to threaten the Lions.

Geno Smith is also more than capable of performing against Detroit. In the last two games against the Lions, Smith has thrown for 648 yards and four touchdowns, as well as leading the game-winning drive in overtime last year. Smith’s statistics haven’t popped off the page in 2024, but he has been playing exceptionally well. Smith also has the most game-winning drives in the entire NFL since the 2022 season.

The Lions are healthier, more experienced, and more established with this current regime. They are coming off a year where they were two quarters of football away from reaching the Super Bowl. But I can’t help but lean towards the Seahawks in this one. Perhaps it is me leaning on recent history. Perhaps it is an intuition. Or perhaps it is the fact Monday night is Seattle’s night. The Seahawks own the best win percentage (.714) in NFL history on Monday nights, and have gone 3-0 in their last three outings on MNF… including a Week 4 road showdown last year.

Give me the Seahawks in another shootout, with more heroics from Smith late.

Prediction: Seahawks over Lions 38-35

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Two key questions for the Lions heading into the Seahawks game

Two key questions for the Lions heading into the Seahawks game

How will the Lions interior offensive line perform without Frank Ragnow?

Frank Ragnow, the 2023 2nd-team All-Pro center, strained his left pec last game and is out for Monday night. It’s not expected to be a long-term issue but even a short-term loss to one of the NFL’s best centers is a big deal.

While it was not officially announced who will be starting at center, Jared Goff’s words suggest that Graham Glasgow will be moving from LG to C. This means two of the three spots along the interior line will be different.

The likely candidates to fill in at LG are Kayode Awosika, a 4th-year player who has started six games in his career, including last year’s conference championship, and Michael Niese, a 2nd-year player with no starts.

For a team that has struggled a bit with interior offensive line pass protection even when all starters were healthy, the performance with backups will be key. Can the interior offensive line protect Goff and open up holes in the running game?

What may help balance out the loss of Ragnow is that the Seahawks will be missing four impact players along the front seven – Leonard Williams DE, Byron Murphy DT, Boye Mafe LB, and Uchenna Nwosu LB.

Can the Lions pass defense compensate for the unexpected loss of Brian Branch?

After a stellar rookie year at nickel CB, Branch has made an excellent transition to the safety position this year being one of the NFL leaders in pass breakups. He suffered a concussion last game but passed through the 5-step concussion protocol and was ready to play. However, a surprise illness on Sunday gave Branch a “doubtful” designation which almost guarantees he will miss the Seahawks game.

Brandon Joseph, an undrafted 2nd-year player who has only appeared in five NFL games logging a total of five defensive snaps, figures to take Branch’s place. How he performs in his first extended action will be something to watch. The next man up after Brandon Joseph is Loren Strickland, an undrafted rookie who has yet to play a defensive snap.

Geno Smith and the talented Seahawks WR group of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will certainly test the fledgling backup Lions safety. Last year against the Lions, Smith went 32/41 for 328 yards and 2 TD’s. Can the Lions limit the Seahawks passing game this year?

In the Lions favor, the Seahawks will be playing their 3rd-string RT Stone Forsythe after George Fant was placed on IR earlier in the week. Fant was filling in for original starter Abe Lucas who has been on the PUP list all year.

If Aidan Hutchinson and the Lions pass rush can take advantage with quick pressures on Geno Smith, that will go a long ways in compensating for the loss of Branch.

Seahawks rule Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams OUT for MNF, Kenneth Walker will play

Seahawks rule Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams OUT for MNF, Kenneth Walker will play

The Seattle Seahawks will face their biggest challenge of the season on Monday night when they take on the Detroit Lions. Seattle is 3-0, but they’ve faced the likes of Bo Nix, Jacoby Brissett, Skylar Thompson and Tim Boyle to start the season. The Lions, led by Jared Goff and Co., will prove to be a considerably more difficult opponent.

Unfortunately, the Seahawks defense will be without four of their best players along the defensive front. Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy, Boye Mafe, and Uchenna Nwosu have all been ruled OUT for Monday. Detroit will be without their All-Pro center Frank Ragnow, but without Williams and Murphy, the Seahawks won’t have their best players to take advantage of the Lions’ potential weakness up front.

The silver lining is Seattle has defeated Detroit in the last three meetings without either Williams or Murphy, but not having them is going to be a legitimate blow to this defense.

Head coach Mike Macdonald said Boye Mafe hurt his knee against the Patriots in Week 2, but says it’s “nothing major.” It would appear Seattle is being cautious with one of their best pass rushers. The season is a marathon, not a sprint to be decided in Week 4.

The good news is running back Kenneth Walker III is going to play in his first game since Week 1. The Seahawks do not have him listed on the injury report, and Macdonald confirmed it as much himself on Saturday.

Linebacker Jerome Baker, who missed Week 3 vs. his former team in the Dolphins, is listed as QUESTIONABLE. Given how depleted Seattle’s defense is, hopefully Baker will be good to go.

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Lions get positive developments on the injury front on Friday

Lions get positive developments on the injury front on Friday, with upgrades to Sam LaPorta, Brian Branch and Alim McNeill

The Detroit Lions got some much-needed positive developments on the injury front from Friday’s practice session.

Tight end Sam LaPorta and offensive tackle Dan Skipper, who both sat out Thursday’s session, were back in full participation mode on Friday. That bodes very well for them playing on Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks.

Two other players who were limited on Thursday also upgraded to full on Friday. Safety Brian Branch handled his brain injury well enough in the limited role on Thursday to be a full participant on Friday. If he fares well on Saturday, Branch should be cleared by the NFL’s concussion protocol and be available for Week 4.

Defensive tackle Alim McNeill also returned in full after being a part-timer. He’s dealing with a shoulder injury suffered in the Week 3 win in Arizona.

Only two players were fully out: Frank Ragnow and Ifeatu Melifonwu. Ragnow has already been shut down for the week. Melifonwu has not practiced since Week 1 as he deals with a preseason ankle injury.

Lions may be without 2 key offensive starters vs. Seahawks

Lions may be without 2 key offensive starters vs. Seahawks

The undefeated Seattle Seahawks will receive their first legitimate test of the 2024 NFL season when they face the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football at Ford Field in Week 4. Dan Campbell’s Lions are entering Monday’s contest a little banged up on offense. Starting center Frank Ragnow will be sidelined with a partially torn pectoral muscle.

Ragnow’s absence represents a big-time blow to the Lions offense. The three-time Pro Bowler, including consecutive appearances in 2022 and 2023, will be replaced by Graham Glasgow, the usual left guard. Reserve linemen Michael Niese or Kayode Awosika will enter the starting lineup as Glasgow’s replacement at left guard. That spells good news for Seattle’s interior defensive lineman.

And Ragnow may not be the only high-end Lions offensive player to miss Monday’s contest. Sophomore tight end Sam LaPorta did not practice on Thursday due to an ankle injury. LaPorta was listed on Detroit’s injury report.

LaPorta currently ranks third on the team in receiving yards (94), and fourth in receptions (8) and targets (10). It’s been a slow start to LaPorta’s second professional campaign, but make no mistake, his potential absence would be a boost to Seattle’s defense. As a rookie last season, the former Iowa standout totaled 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, tying for fourth in the entire league among all pass catchers in TDs.

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Jared Goff tips off who is Frank Ragnow’s replacement at center

Jared Goff tips off who is Frank Ragnow’s replacement at center, and it’s not the person who played center all summer in Detroit

Frank Ragnow will not play against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4, that much we’ve known. But there was some uncertainty about who would fill in at center for the All-Pro on Monday Night Football.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff ended any of that mystery during his Thursday media session. It will be Graham Glasgow, the team’s regular left guard — if Goff’s words are to be believed.

“Yeah, he’s the Swiss army knife,” Goff said of the veteran Glasgow. “He can kind of do it all. He’s played right guard, he’s played left guard this year, and now he’s playing center and it’s a luxury for us to have him, for sure.”

That sure sounds like Glasgow will be moving into the center spot, where he started three games in 2023 (Weeks 8, 12 and 13). He was Denver’s primary center in the 2022 season as well, though he’s spent most of his career and earned his top PFF grades playing guard.

The Lions did keep an actual center on the 53-man roster in Michael Niese, and Niese took all the fill-in first-team reps at center throughout training camp–not Glasgow. During a conversation I had with a member of the Lions coaching staff in August, the indication was that Niese was Plan B if Ragnow got hurt during the season.

Niese can also play guard, and sliding Glasgow into the pivot opens up a need for a starting left guard. The Lions have not revealed the plans there yet, but Kayode Awosika and Niese are the only current guards on the active roster. Rookie Christian Mahogany remains on the non-football illness list through at least the bye in Week 5. Colby Sorsdal, who played some guard as a rookie in 2023, has been moved back to full-time tackle this year.

Lions vs Seahawks: Thursday injury report medical breakdown

Lions vs Seahawks: Thursday injury report medical breakdown for both teams entering Week 4

Thursday is the first injury report since the game is on Monday. Thankfully, there were no further surprises on the Lions report this week. The Seahawks will be without their starting RT and possibly a few other impact players as well.

DETROIT LIONS

Brian Branch LP concussion, S

Good news that Branch is presumably asymptomatic based on the LP today. This puts him on track to pass through the NFL 5-step protocol and play Monday.

However, it still might be a good idea to give him a week off because of a hit he took in game one. In that game, Branch took a hard hit to the side of the head, was down briefly, but not diagnosed with a concussion.

While there were no external signs of a concussion to warrant a diagnosis, mild concussions may only have vague symptoms that require self-reporting like headache, nausea, and fogginess. Looking back, if he indeed had some concussion symptoms, then this would be two concussions in three weeks which might warrant some precaution.

Sam LaPorta NP ankle, TE

A right low ankle sprain didn’t stop LaPorta from intermittently returning to the game last week. He won’t be fully healed by Monday night, but I expect him to play.

Frank Ragnow NP pectoral, C

Ragnow strained his left pec early in the game but battled to the finish.

Dan Campbell stated Thursday: “We’re going to put Frank down this week”. After further clarification, Ragnow is apparently not being euthanized and could return for week six vs the Cowboys.

Alim McNeill LP shoulder, DT

Dan Campbell stated Thursday: “Alim’s doing better… he’s day to day, he’ll be out there running around today, so we’re pretty good there”.

Great news for McNeill to be practicing already after missing the entire 2nd half of the Cardinals game. He might have a left AC joint sprain with how he landed on the ground. Sounds like he’s in for Monday.

Alex Anzalone FP concussion, LB

Anzalone is firmly on track to play Monday. On the sidelines vs the Cardinals, he appeared mentally sharp while calling out defensive signals and pumping up the tens of thousands of Lions fans.

Dan Skipper NP ribs, OT

Skipper landed on a defender’s elbow which likely caused a right rib bruise/strain with a small chance of a fracture. Unless something unexpected showed on XR, I expect him to be available on Monday.

Ennis Rakestraw LP hamstring, CB

After hurting his hamstring in pregame of week two, Rakestraw has missed the past two games. Not putting him on IR meant that this was likely a short-term issue. He had 3x NP last week so it’s good to see an LP today which puts him on track to make his MNF debut.

Levi Onwuzurike LP knee, DL

Onwuzurike was hurt in the 1st quarter last game and there was no video of the injury. Medical appeared to be examining his right knee. He finished out the game without noticeable problems. With an LP early in the week, I expect him to play vs the Seahawks.

Ifeatu Melifonwu NP ankle, S

With an NP, he’s likely out this week. Hopefully, the bye will help Melifonwu’s ankle.

NOTABLES UNLISTED

Terrion Arnold was hit in the right knee area last game and was gimpy for a while on the sideline. He returned to the game and played well. Unlisted suggests there is no structural damage to the knee and he may have just had a contusion.

Graham Glasgow was a surprise listing last week with a knee but still played the entire Cardinals game. Good to see the knee is off the report.

Derrick Barnes was placed on IR after being hit in the right knee with a possible MCL sprain. He has a chance to return later this year.

Marcus Davenport was placed on IR due to a left elbow injury and reportedly is out for the year.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Leonard Williams NP ribs, DE

Williams is one of the Seahawks star defenders having signed a three-year, $64.5 million contract in the offseason.

Byron Murphy NP hamstring, DT

Murphy was the 16th overall pick in the 2024 draft and has already been impactful in his rookie year. Reports are that he is expected to be out for this game.

Kenneth Walker LP oblique, RB

MSU and U of M fans are well aware of Walker’s capabilities. He missed last game but is expected to be ready for Monday night.

Uchenna Nwosu NP knee, LB

This impact LB for the Seahawks sprained his MCL in preseason on August 24 and has yet to play in the regular season. His target return was Monday night but with an NP, that makes it much less likely.

NOTABLES UNLISTED

George Fant, the starting RT, was placed on IR a few days ago due to a right knee injury. This will be the fourth straight game the Lions opponent is missing a starting OT.

The rest of the lengthy Seahawks report is here:

 

 

No, the Lions aren’t euthanizing Frank Ragnow despite Dan Campbell’s statement

No, the Lions aren’t euthanizing Frank Ragnow despite Dan Campbell’s statement “we’re going to put Frank down this week”

No, the Detroit Lions are not euthanizing center Frank Ragnow. Let’s get that out of the way.

The All-Pro Lions center will not play in Detroit’s Week 4 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks as he deals with a partially torn pectoral muscle. The language used by Lions head coach to note that Ragnow would not play in the Monday Night Football game got a little confusing, however.

“We’re going to put Frank down this week.”

Normally, that’s the verbiage of someone ending a suffering pet’s life and not talking about a football player who won’t play. As is often the case, social media picked up on the unusual Campbell pronouncement.

 

All-Pro Lions C Frank Ragnow will not play vs. Seahawks

Dan Campbell confirms that All-Pro Lions C Frank Ragnow will not play vs. Seahawks as he deals with a pectoral muscle injury

It was an expected pronouncement from head coach Dan Campbell, but it doesn’t make it any easier to hear. During his Thursday press conference, Campbell indicated that Lions All-Pro center Frank Ragnow will not play in the Monday Night Football matchup against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4.

“We’re going to put Frank down this week,” Campbell said, meaning he won’t be active.

Ragnow suffered a partially torn pectoral muscle in Detroit’s Week 3 win over the Cardinals. He played through the pain in the game, but he will now sit out the next one.

“We’re not going to mess with that,” coach Campbell continued. “Frank’s tough, he’s as tough as nails. If anybody can play though it, it’s him. I think we’ve got to be smart. Look, it’s early in the year, we’ve got a lot of football left.”

Campbell did not give any indication that the team was placing Ragnow on the injured reserve list. The Lions have a bye following Week 4.

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Lions injury videos from the Cardinals game

Breaking down when the Lions injuries occurred and how they happened in the Week 3 win in Arizona

Unfortunately, the Lions suffered many injuries in the Cardinals game. Some were obvious at the time, some were not. Credit the players for battling through.

Here are the injury videos in chronological order. The initial injury report won’t be out until Thursday, so we’ll get more clarity then and hopefully won’t have any more surprises.

Dan Skipper 1q 14:16 right torso

Skipper might have landed on the defender’s elbow which could have caused a rib or torso contusion/strain. He was able to finish the game.

Terrion Arnold 1q 6:07 right knee

Hopefully, this is just a simple knee contusion but a mild sprain is possible. Arnold returned to the game and played well.

Ragnow 1q 1:51 left pec strain

Ragnow finished the game and was wearing a brace in the second half. See my article for more details about his outlook. 

Derrick Barnes 2q 12:07 right knee

Barnes left the game and has been placed on IR. Video suggests it could be an MCL sprain.

Sam LaPorta 2q 00:29 right low ankle sprain

Good chance LaPorta will be available on Monday but ankle won’t be fully healed.

Alim McNeill 2q 00:17 shoulder

McNeill might have hurt his left AC joint when he landed on the ground. Dan Campbell called it day-to-day.

Marcus Davenport 3q 6:45 left elbow

Video showed Davenport’s forearm getting chopped down while his elbow was in flexion. This could cause an elbow flexor tendon tear of the biceps or brachialis. He continued to try to play with an elbow brace but was hampered. He has been placed on IR and reportedly is out for the season.

Brian Branch 4q 6:06 concussion

Hopefully, we see Branch have a limited practice on Thursday but taking a game off might be a good idea.