Frank Ragnow needed just 3 words to explain his shocking return to Lions

Frank Ragnow, the 29-year-old former All-Pro center for the Detroit Lions, has returned to the team just in time for a huge playoff push.

The odds between the Lions making the postseason and not being dependent on the result of their Week 13 contest against the Green Bay Packers are ridiculously chaotic, so getting a stabilizing force like Ragnow back in the fold is a big deal. If he can look like at least 80 percent of what he looked like for Detroit in 2024, then the center is set to change everything about the team's pass protection.

ESPN's Adam Schefter asked a source close to Ragnow why he decided, now, to come back to the Lions. Outside of the obvious reasons being that they're in dire need of help on their O-line following injuries to Christian Mahogany and now Graham Glasgow, those sources Schefter that he simply "loves the game" too much to have not come back.

Ragnow gives simple reason for shocking return to Lions

Ragnow's love for the game has translated to three All-Pro appearances and four Pro Bowl selections. Last season, he posted a PFF grade of 85.3, good for third overall at the center position in the NFL. He was, simply, one of the best IOL in the league, so his absence was felt immediately by Detroit in Week 1 of the 2025 season.

The plan of running Glasgow out at center while hoping to train up Tate Ratledge to become their long-term answer at center just didn't seem like a fruitful one in that very first game. Green Bay, who has since cooled off, looked like a Super Bowl juggernaut against Detroit's offensive line. Ragnow not around to protect Goff led to quite a few pressures and a far flatter offense for the Lions.

Detroit is currently in third place with a 7-4 record headed into their Thanksgiving game versus the Packers, who sit in second place. Getting a win could help improve the Lions' record to 8-4, and would tie up the regular-season head-to-head record between themselves and the Packers. That could be big by Week 18, when there's sure to be a tight race in the NFC for final spots in the postseason.

Ragnow's return helps solidify the line against some elite pass-rushing teams Detroit will be handling the next few weeks, like of the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Minnesota Vikings.

Buccaneers Get Good News on Baker Mayfield Ahead of Cardinals Game

Mike Ehrmann/Getty

TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 12: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Sunday just wasn’t the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ day. They got embarrassed on Sunday Night Football against the Rams, losing 34-7 in a game that wasn’t even that close — it was 31-7 at the half, and Los Angeles basically stopped trying to score at that point.

It was not a good day for Bucs QB Baker Mayfield. In one half of action, he completed 9 of 19 passes for 41 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions (though one of those picks wasn’t his fault, as it got ripped away from the receiver). On a third-down scramble, Mayfield ran through a pair of Rams defenders for a first down. But his left shoulder was bothering him after that, and he was in considerable pain after heaving a hail mary to end the half.

In the second half, Mayfield came out of the locker room sporting a sling and wearing warmups. Questions swarmed surrounding his status moving forward, as Tampa Bay could hardly afford to lose their starting quarterback on top of all the other injuries they’ve sustained this season.

Ian Rapoport on Tampa Bay Buccaners QB Baker Mayfield’s Injury

Ronald Martinez/GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 23: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaves the field after his team was defeated by the Los Angeles Rams in the game at SoFi Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

“Good things are going on with Baker Mayfield,” said NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport on Wednesday morning, appearing on the Good Morning Football show. “When we last saw him, he was on the sideline in a sling — wearing sweatpants by the way, now that we’re on the topic — we wondered how long he’d be out with a left shoulder injury.”

“[He] had an MRI after the game, it was actually really good news. My understanding it that it was a low-grade sprain for Baker Mayfield, an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. And yes, he looks like he’s about to die on the field right there,” Rapoport continued, referencing a clip of Mayfield writhing in pain on the field that played as Rapoport spoke, “but he does in fact have a chance to play this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. That is excellent news. We saw [backup quarterback] Teddy Bridgewater, who we all love, come in and play. It did not go well. They need Baker Mayfield if the Bucs are going to get back on track, and he’s got a shot.”

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Have a Manageable Closing Slate

The Buccaneers have lost three in a row after starting 6-2, but those three losses came against the Patriots, Bills, and Rams — teams that are a combined 26-8 on the season. Falling to 6-5 and being just a half-game up on the Panthers in the NFC South isn’t ideal, but the sky isn’t falling in Tampa Bay just yet.

Especially since the Bucs have one of the easiest remaining schedules in the league. Their final six opponents are the Cardinals, Saints, Falcons, Panthers, Dolphins, and Panthers. None of those teams are above .500 and the Panthers have the best record at 6-6.

Those two games against the Panthers will likely define the Buccaneers’ season. If they can get to 10 wins, they’ll be in good shape.