Tag: Frank Ragnow

Detroit Lions Thursday Week 7 injury report: Frank Ragnow, Trey Flowers, Marvin Jones practice

Examining the Detroit Lions Thursday Week 7 injury report, including the return of Frank Ragnow, Trey Flowers, and Marvin Jones to practice.

On Wednesday, the Detroit Lions (2-3) saw four starters sit out, but on Thursday, three of them returned to the practice field, leaving Desmond Trufant the only remaining starter to not practice in Week 7.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ injury report, with the updated changes in injury status listed in bold.

Injured reserve/PUP list

No Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Desmond Trufant Hamstring No Practice No Practice

Trufant has missed yet another practice, his fifth in a row spanning over the last two weeks, and it’s not looking good for him returning to face his old team — the Atlanta Falcons.

Limited Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Frank Ragnow Groin No Practice Limited Practice
Trey Flowers Wrist No Practice Limited Practice
Marvin Jones Knee No Practice Limited Practice
Danny Amendola Foot Limited Practice Limited Practice

Ragnow, Flowers, and Jones all returned to practice on Thursday, suggesting Wednesday was somewhat of a rest day for veterans who have been dealing with an uncomfortable injury. All three managed to play a full allotment of snap last week and all appear to be on track to play this week.

Amendola gets another limited practice and things are also looking up for his availability in Week 7.

Full Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Joe Dahl Groin Full Practice Full Practice

Dahl looks to be recovered from his groin injury but where he fits in along the offensive line is still to be determined. Will he return to his starting role at left guard? Will he come off the bench like last week? Will it matter what is technical role is if the guard rotation continues? We may not know these answers until Sunday.

Detroit Lions Wednesday Week 7 injury report: Frank Ragnow, Trey Flowers, Marvin Jones, and Desmond Trufant don’t practice

Examining the Detroit Lions Wednesday injury report as they get ready for a Week 7 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.

The Detroit Lions (2-3) returned to the practice field on Wednesday as they prepare to travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons (1-5) in Week 7, and four Lions starters missed practice today.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ injury report, with the updated changes in injury status listed in bold.

Injured reserve/PUP list

No Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Frank Ragnow Groin No Practice
Marvin Jones Knee No Practice
Trey Flowers Wrist No Practice
Desmond Trufant Hamstring No Practice

Ragnow injured his groin last week Wednesday, missed Thursday’s practice, returned Friday, and was able to play every offensive snap on Sunday. This is most likely a maintenance day for his injury but worth keeping an eye on.

Jones and Flowers were also able to play their full complement of snaps on Sunday, so this may also be rest days for banged-up veterans, but it could also be something that popped up after the game, which would be more concerning.

Trufant’s revenge game against the Falcons may be put on hold as he is once again starting the week off unable to practice. If he can’t play, Amani Oruwariye and Jeff Okudah have held down the fort admirably in his stay.

Limited Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Danny Amendola Foot Limited Practice

Amendola is another new name on the injury report this week. Limited is a good sign, and with his work ethic, expect him to do everything in his power to be available on Sunday.

Full Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Joe Dahl Groin Full Practice

Dahl spent three weeks on injured reserve because of his groin but was able to return to practice last week and contributed in a limited role against the Jaguars. A full practice is a great sign and it’s possible the offensive line gets shaken up again if he is ready to reclaim his starting role at left guard.

It’s worth noting that Da’Shawn Hand (chest), Nick Williams (shoulder), Christian Jones (knee), and C.J. Moore (calf) were listed on last week’s injury report and are no longer listed this week, indicating they’re good to go moving forward.

Detroit Lions Week 6 injury designations: Frank Ragnow Questionable, Desmond Trufant OUT

Identifying the Detroit Lions injury designations for their Week 6 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Detroit Lions saw quite a bit of improvement on their Week 6 injury report on Friday, but they’re not out of the woods yet with one of their most important players on offense.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ injury report, with the updated changes in injury status listed in bold.

Injured reserve/PUP list

Ruled OUT

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Desmond Trufant Hamstring No Practice No Practice No Practice OUT
Hunter Bryant Concussion No Practice No Practice No Practice Placed on IR

Trufant was not able to overcome the injury set back he suffered in Week 4 and he will miss his third game of the season. Expect Amani Oruwariye and Jeff Okudah to start, with Darryl Williams in the slot.

We’re going to have to wait at least another three weeks before we will get to see the Bryant make his NFL debut after he was placed on injured reserve today.

Questionable

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Frank Ragnow Groin Limited Practice No Practice Limited Practice Questionable
C.J. Moore Calf Limited Practice Limited Practice Full Practice Questionable

Ragnow suffered a groin injury in practice on Wednesday, missed practice on Thursday, and was limited again on Friday. Another few days of rest could do wonders for his availability on Sunday, but with the Lions traveling this week, he’ll need to pass through another medical check on Saturday. If he shows positive improvement, he could make the trip to Jacksonville, but could still be a game-time decision.

If Ragnow can’t play, early expectations are that starter Joe Dahl could return from injured reserve tomorrow — taking the roster spot vacated by Bryant being placed on IR — and start at center. If Ragnow can play, Dahl could still be activated and the offensive line could return to the original/preferred starting lineup — something we have yet to see in 2020.

Moore is recovering from his third separate injury in six weeks, and while he was able to upgrade to a full practice on Friday, the questionable label is a strong indication he’s headed towards a game-time decision.

Not listed with an injury designation

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Adrian Peterson Illness Not listed No Practice Full Practice No Designation
Christian Jones Knee Limited Practice Limited Practice Full Practice No Designation
D’Shawn Hand Chest Full Practice Full Practice Full Practice No Designation
Nick Williams Shoulder Full Practice Full Practice Full Practice No Designation

Peterson’s illness lasted just 24-hours and he returned to a full practice on Friday. He should be good to go on Sunday.

Jones has been limited in practice since Week 4 but it hasn’t impacted his playing time as of yet. Couple that with a full practice on Friday, and no injury designation, and he should be ready to roll on Sunday.

Hand and Williams both got in a full week’s worth of practices and won’t carry an injury designation into Sunday’s game. If the Lions are concerned about their ability to play a full game, Kevin Strong could be promoted from the practice squad, but they appear to be in a good spot.

Detroit Lions Week 6 injury report: Frank Ragnow doesn’t practice on Thursday

Examining the Detroit Lions Thursday Week 6 injury report as they begin their preparation for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Detroit Lions got some bad news on Thursday when starting center Frank Ragnow was unable to practice after suffering a groin injury on Wednesday. If he is unable to play on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, it will be a huge loss for the Lions offense.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ injury report, with the updated changes in injury status listed in bold.

Injured reserve/PUP list

No Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Frank Ragnow Groin Limited Practice No Practice
Adrian Peterson Illness Not Listed No Practice
Desmond Trufant Hamstring No Practice No Practice
Hunter Bryant Concussion No Practice No Practice

While coach Matt Patricia didn’t want to discuss how or when Ragnow’s injury happened, he did suggest it was a recent issue saying it was “something that popped up yesterday”. Couple that comment with Ragnow being unable to practice on Thursday, and it’s not great news for Ragnow or the Lions, as mid-week injuries typically impact a player’s ability to perform on Sunday — if they play at all.

If Ragnow is unable to play, rookie Jonah Jackson could end up as his replacement at center, which would be his third position player in his first five NFL games. Other options include the team activating Dahl from IR or elevating Beau Benzschawel from the practice squad.

Peterson’s illness is being reported by local media as non-COVID-19 related.

Trufant is considered day-to-day according to Patricia, but after missing two practices, he would need a significant improvement on Friday in order to be game ready on Sunday. Expect an Amani Oruwariye-Jeff Okudah starting lineup at corner once again.

Bryant continues to sit out practices and with the NFL concussion protocols being what they are, he will likely miss this weekend’s game.

Limited Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Christian Jones Knee Limited Practice Limited Practice
C.J. Moore Calf Limited Practice Limited Practice

Jones was limited in Week 4 but played in that game and appears to be on the same path in Week 6. His situation is still worth keeping an eye on, but this is an early lean towards availability.

Moore could be on the path to the playing field once again, but he has been so banged up this season, it’s hard to project anything at this stage.

Full Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
D’Shawn Hand Chest Full Practice Full Practice
Nick Williams Shoulder Full Practice Full Practice

Two full practices for Hand and Williams is a strong indicator that they will be good to go on Sunday, barring a Friday setback of course.

Detroit Lions Wednesday Week 6 injury report: Desmond Trufant doesn’t practice, Frank Ragnow limited

Examining the Detroit Lions Wednesday Week 6 injury report as they begin their preparation for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Detroit Lions returned to the practice field on Wednesday as they prepare to travel to Florida to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6 and they had three starters unable to fully participate.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ injury report, with the updated changes in injury status listed in bold.

Injured reserve/PUP list

No Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Desmond Trufant Hamstring No Practice
Hunter Bryant Concussion No Practice

Trufant missed Weeks 2 and 3 with a hamstring injury and when he returned to the field in Week 4, he reaggravated it and couldn’t finish the game. Despite having extra time to recover after the bye, Trufant was still unable to participate on Wednesday, which is not ideal. Fortunately, the Lions are prepared to handle a potential absence with Amani Oruwaroye and Jeff Okudah both ready to start.

If it wasn’t for bad luck Hunter Bryant might not have any luck at all. After missing the first four weeks of the season with a hamstring injury, Bryant is now dealing with a concussion. The Lions always take a cautious approach to head injuries, so his NFL debut may once again be put on hold.

Limited Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Frank Ragnow Groin Limited Practice
Christian Jones Knee Limited Practice
C.J. Moore Calf Limited Practice

Ragnow showing up as limited with a groin injury is easily the most concerning news of the day. He is the anchor of the Lions offensive line and most of the success they have originates from him in some way. This is a situation fans will want to keep a close eye on.

If Ragnow is unable to play, both Dahl — who is still technically on IR — and rookie Jonah Jackson have experience working at center, though it would be a massive downgrade from Ragnow’s elite play.

Jones was dealing with a knee injury before the bye but was able to play through it in Week 4. As long as he didn’t have a setback, he should be on track to play again in Week 6.

Like Bryant, Moore has been bitten by the injury bug in 2020. A hamstring injury kept him out of Week 1, then a groin injury prevented him from playing in Weeks 3 and 4, and now a third injury (a calf) has crept up this week. Limited is a good sign, but he’s been limited in past weeks and unable to play on Sunday, so tread lightly with expectations here.

Full Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
D’Shawn Hand Chest Full Practice
Nick Williams Shoulder Full Practice

Having both 3/5-techniques on the injury report is not ideal, but getting in a full practice is encouraging. Hand’s chest injury is a carryover from Week 4, and he was able to play through it then, so expectations are high he will be fine. Williams’ injury happened during the game against the New Orleans Saints, and the bye week has apparently given him enough time to get back on the field.

Detroit’s offensive line is suddenly the least of the Lions worries

The Lions might be 0-2 but don’t blame Frank Ragnow, Taylor Decker and the Detroit offensive line

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The offensive line is always a sore spot for the Detroit Lions with their fans. In many years both distant past and recent vintage, it’s been a justified beef. The Lions have had some explosive skill position groups watered down by ineffective line play over the years.

Not this year. The Lions might be 0-2 and the offense sputtering, but don’t blame the guys up front. Through the first two weeks, the offensive line is the best part of the Detroit attack.

Left tackle Taylor Decker and center Frank Ragnow, both former first-round picks, have played very well. Decker had a so-so Week 1 against the Chicago Bears but looked dominant against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2. His run blocking was as good as it’s ever looked and he didn’t have any breakdowns in pass protection. His 80.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus topped celebrated Packers counterpart David Bakhtiari, who had the advantage of going against Detroit’s feckless defense.

Ragnow was the only Lion to grade higher than Decker in Week 2, and the PFF score reflected the eye-test excellence from the third-year center. He is PFF’s No. 2-graded center on the year and deservingly so.

Rookie right guard Jonah Jackson has also performed well. The third-round pick from Ohio State looks like he belongs, and he has nicely paired with Ragnow to create some huge holes in the run game. It’s not their fault the running backs aren’t consistently hitting them or that the tight ends have been dreadful in the blocking department. For a point of reference, Jackson has a higher PFF grade than the man he’s replacing, Graham Glasgow, has racked up in the Denver Broncos’ two losses. And he’s doing it for almost a 90% lower salary than what Glasgow got to leave Detroit.

Even Tyrell Crosby has performed acceptably at right tackle despite the fact he’s not supposed to be playing. With Halapoulivaati Vaitai missing the first two weeks, Crosby the backup has stepped up nicely. He’s right at the league average in overall PFF grade but only four right tackles have a better run blocking score.

Alas, there is still one other spot. Left guard is a massive hole with regular starter Joe Dahl on injured reserve. Oday Aboushi shouldn’t ever see the field again after his inept performance in Week 2 that included a crushing personal foul penalty that helped key the Packers huge surge. Dahl looked fine in Week 1 and he could return as soon as Week 5, thankfully. With rookie Logan Stenberg also in the mix, the Lions might have the answer in-house already.

Matthew Stafford has been sacked five times in the two games, but that’s more on the QB than it is on the line. Stafford took an awful sack late against Chicago that was 100% on him for not throwing the ball away. That was true twice in Green Bay, too; Stafford is on the hook for three of his own five sacks for holding the ball too long or not escaping avoidable pressure.

Football Outsiders ranks the Lions offensive line second overall in pass protection through two weeks. They adjust for difficultly of schedule and competition, something PFF does not account for. Based on what we’ve seen through two weeks, it’s deserved praise for coach Hank Fraley in his first years as the man in charge of the O-line.

Lions PFF grades reflect the inept defensive performance in Week 2

Some truly dismal PFF grades across the defense

After the first quarter in Green Bay, not much went well for the Detroit Lions in Week 2. The Lions quickly surrendered a 14-3 lead in a humiliating 42-21 drubbing by the Packers.

The Pro Football Focus game grades are reflective of the miserably inept defensive effort from Matt Patricia’s Lions. The top-graded Lions defender was reserve DL Kevin Strong, who earned a 75.1 score in 13 snaps. Strong was the only Detroit defensive player to top 65; Trey Flowers was nexts up with a 64.1. Flowers did not record a single stat other than one QB pressure PFF credited him with in the game.

At the bottom end, rookie CB Jeff Okudah had a terrible debut. The No. 3 overall pick graded out just 28.6 overall and a putrid 27.2 in coverage. Safeties Tracy Walker (41.9) and Will Harris (43.5) were next-lowest. Walker’s score is heavily skewed down by his one completion allowed going for a touchdown.

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On offense, the strong play from the line ruled the top of the grading charts. Center Frank Ragnow was the best overall Lion, earning an 86.0 overall grade. He was followed by LT Taylor Decker (80.8) and rookie RG Jonah Jackson (77.0).

Quarterback Matthew Stafford did not play well, and that is also reflected in the PFF grades. Stafford earned a low 52.3 score, his worst PFF grade since Week 8 of the 2018 season. Only LG Oday Aboushi, an emergency starter, fared worse (51.8).

Lions being shut out on top player lists should not be a surprise

The Detroit Lions being shut out on top player lists like the NFL 100 should not be a surprise

Not a single Detroit Lions player made an appearance on the NFL 100 list from the NFL Network. There aren’t any Lions on Touchdown Wire’s list of the top 101 players in the NFL, either.

It’s a disappointing development. It’s an unfortunate slight for a couple of worthy Lions players. But it most certainly is not a surprise.

The lack of respect for individual accomplishment is part of the price of playing on a team that has won just nine games in two seasons. In popularity contests, being on national TV celebrating great feats is a much easier path than toiling away in relative obscurity on the television network’s “D” team during a 3-win campaign.

But the plain fact is, the Lions do not have a star-studded lineup. The Madden 21 player ratings reflect it, too. Detroit has the lowest highest-rated player of any team.

Personally, I would include Trey Flowers in the top 101 players. A healthy Matthew Stafford absolutely belongs there too. Frank Ragnow is closing in quickly, and I expect Tracy Walker to merit legit consideration if he keeps up his impressive career arc.

But I watch every play of every Lions game, most of them multiple times. The other NFL players, who are the voting bloc for the NFL 100, don’t do that. The analysts who concoct other such lists don’t do that either, with very few exceptions.

Don’t mistake that national lack of respect as anything personal toward the Lions players. It’s the cold reality of playing for a losing team in relative media anonymity.

Frank Ragnow ranks as the 7th-best center in NFL per Touchdown Wire

Lions Wire’s brother site Touchdown Wire has been ranking the Top-11 players at every position for the 2020 season and the Detroit Lions Frank Ragnow checks in as the seventh-best center in NFL.

Lions Wire’s brother site Touchdown Wire has been ranking the Top-11 players at every position for the 2020 season and the Detroit Lions’ Frank Ragnow checks in as the seventh-best center in NFL in their latest article.

“A good center is the unheralded captain of an offense,” Doug Farrar said. “While we all talk about skill position players, and maybe throw in the names of a few marquee offensive tackles if we’re feeling particularly smart, interior offensive linemen are crucial to the implementation of any offensive design.”

The Lions believe in this approach to the center position and it’s a big reason why they made Ragnow a first-round selection. The Lions did one of their best draft misdirections that year, subtly indicating interest in several other players while secretly targeting Ragnow to be the anchor up front.

“The Lions selected Ragnow with the 20th overall pick in the 2018 draft out of Arkansas, and started his NFL career by placing him at left guard for all but one of his 1,087 snaps in his rookie year,” Farrar said. “Ragnow allowed four sacks and 36 total pressures in that role, but when he moved to center last season, everything fell into place.

“Ragnow allowed just two sacks and 18 total pressures in 2019 despite the back injury that cost Matthew Stafford half his season and put David Blough and Jeff Driskel in the spotlight. Ragnow has the strength and leverage to rock defensive linemen off their feet, and the agility to excel in any quick zone-based scheme.”

In his first year as the Lions fulltime center, Ragnow spent several weeks in 2019 as the highest-graded player at his position on Pro Football Focus’ grading scale, eventually finishing the season sixth on the list. He has the potential to be the best center in the NFL with time, which lines up with Farrar’s conclusion:

“With (Mathew) Stafford back in the game, and more reps at center at the NFL level, there’s little doubt that Ragnow’s is a name on the way up at his position.”