In the playoffs, injuries that may have otherwise sidelined players aren’t as significant of a concern anymore. When it’s win or go home, guys more or less decide to grit their teeth and tough it out if they can.
Detroit Lions All-Pro center Frank Ragnow did exactly this during his team’s divisional-round matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Early in the game, Ragnow had his leg rolled up following a sack on Jared Goff. If there was one player the Lions could ill afford to see missing any time, it was Ragnow, the fulcrum and leader of their dominant offensive line. At the time of this writing, it is unclear what Ragnow’s ailment is.
Even still, rather than come out of the game, a visibly hurt Ragnow soldiered on with Detroit’s season on the line:
— wow that was crazy (@CowardlyDoggo) January 21, 2024
Later, with the Lions facing a critical fourth and goal near the end of the third quarter, Ragnow had the unenviable task of taking on the mammoth Vita Vea one-on-one. He passed with flying colors, paving the way for a clutch Craig Reynolds touchdown:
4th and Goal? Lions are going for it.
📺: #TBvsDET on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/frRD38ClOq pic.twitter.com/x9nVpCrGhP— NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2024
Ragnow didn’t pancake Vea, but he didn’t have to. He just had to stay in front of him long enough for Reynolds to cross the plane. Even while hurt, it is these kinds of heroic efforts that propel teams like the Lions to greatness.