The Detroit Lions have been a legitimate Super Bowl contender for the last couple of seasons and for much of this season, it looked like that would continue. But a tough Thanksgiving Day loss to the Green Bay Packers damaged those chances.
That loss to Green Bay knocked the Lions to 7-5 on the season. It completed a season sweep of the Lions by the Packers on the year and seemed to solidify that the team's championship window is closing. The news that came out on Saturday may have officially slammed it shut.
The team convincing its former Pro-Bowl center, Frank Ragnow, to come out of retirement was an acknowledgment that the offensive line is nowhere near as good as it once was. It also seemed like a desperate attempt to save the season before it gets away.
But on Saturday, it was reported that his return from retirement is already over, as a Grade 3 hamstring strain led to a failed physical and he will not play this season.
Frank Ragnow was really about to try to comeback and save the Lions knowing his hamstring wasn’t 100%. Absolute warrior.
— Honolulu Blues (@HonoluluBlues_) November 29, 2025
That's a tough blow for a team that is reeling and has had a rash of injuries. With both the Packers and Chicago Bears playing great football within the division, it feels like this will be a lost season for the Lions.
The Lions reached the NFC Championship Game in 2023 and the divisional round of the playoffs last season. The team was hoping that this would be the year where it reached the promised land, but the loss of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to coaching opportunities has proven tough to overcome. The team has also experienced several injuries to important players, something that has hampered it before.
The Lions could still back into a playoff spot, but this isn't going to be the year for Dan Campbell's bunch.
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