Frank Ragnow is not going to be working it again with the Lions in 2025 on the search to avenge their early playoff exit.
On Monday afternoon, the All-Professional heart introduced his retirement from the NFL at 29 years previous.
“These past couple of months have been very trying as I’ve come to the realization that my football journey is ending and I’m officially retiring from the NFL,” Ragnow wrote on Instagram. “I’ve tried to convince myself that I’m feeling good but I’m not and it’s time to prioritize my health and my families [sic] future. I have given this team everything I have and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don’t. I have to listen to my body and this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life. The Lions organization has been absolutely incredible throughout this process and I can’t emphasize this enough how grateful I am for this team and all the fans. It was an absolute honor going to battle for you all.”
The retirement comes as a blow to the Lions following their dominant 15-2 season that resulted in shocking disappointment, shedding to the Commanders within the divisional spherical.
The choice appeared to return from principally well being considerations and the four-time Professional Bowler has notably had a number of harm run-ins previously, particularly with toe issues.
He missed 13 video games in 2021 resulting from what he referred to as “the most severe degree of turf toe.” He later suffered a distinct harm to the identical toe through the 2022 season, however managed to play by it.
In 2023, Ragnow realized the harm had grown to a degree the place surgical procedure wouldn’t assist and the toe can be one thing he must handle for the rest of his profession, he informed the Detroit Free Press.
Ragnow solely missed on recreation final season — a Week 4 matchup towards the Seahawks with {a partially} torn pectoral muscle. He went on to not miss a begin after that, taking part in 16 video games and being named to the Professional Bowl for the third straight season.
He was chosen by the Lions within the first spherical, No. 20 general, of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Arkansas and spent his total seven-year profession in Detroit.
