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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow announces retirement after 7 seasons
Four-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow, one of the most important players on a Detroit Lions offensive line that is considered one of the best in the NFL, is calling it a career. Ragnow wrote on Instagram that he is retiring after seven seasons with the Lions for health reasons. Advertisement "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. "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." Ragnow, a first-round pick out of Arkansas in 2018, played in 16 games and was a second-team All-Pro selection last season, when he said after the season he felt as healthy as he'd been in years. Ragnow has battled toe problems since 2021, when he tore the plantar plate in his left foot in a Week 4 game against the Chicago Bears and missed the rest of the year. He re-injured his toe in 2022, and called the ailment inoperable in the spring of 2023. That fall, Ragnow made his third Pro Bowl after playing 16 games despite toe, knee and ankle injuries. He acknowledged after the season he was contemplating his future, then returned with another Pro Bowl performance last year, when he played through a partially torn pectoral muscle. Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) talks to center Frank Ragnow (77) during warm up before the Tennessee Titans game at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. Ragnow, who turned 29 last month and had two years left on his contract, was not taking part in formal offseason workouts with the Lions this spring. He was scheduled to make $9.15 million in base salary this fall. Advertisement "I have given this team everything I have and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don't," Ragnow wrote on Instagram. "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." Tate Ratledge, a second-round pick out of Georgia, has been taking first-team reps at center in Ragnow's absence and is a leading candidate to replace Ragnow on the Lions' offensive line. Ratledge was a three-year starter at right guard for Georgia, though the Lions touted his position versatility after trading up to take him with the 57th pick of the draft. Advertisement "He's a long, tall, big man, but we love the versatility of the player," assistant general manager Ray Agnew said at rookie minicamp in May. "He can play multiple positions, inside in the interior. Like the toughness, like the way he plays the game. "The guy can get out in space, man. Those guys that can get out in space and block for a guy like Jahmyr Gibbs and then he's going to the house for a touchdown, you love those guys. So I'm excited about Tate, man. I'm really, really, really excited about Tate." Ratledge took first- and second-team reps at center during the Lions' installation period at their open organized team activities practice last week, when Lions coach Dan Campbell downplayed the absence of Ragnow and veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone from voluntary workouts. Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) warm up before the game between Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. Ratledge said at rookie minicamp in May he was enjoying the transition, but still trying to learn all three interior line positions Advertisement Veteran interior lineman Graham Glasgow, who started last season at left guard and played right guard in 2023, also has experience at center; he started all 16 games at the position for the Lions in 2018. Colby Sorsdal and Michael Niese also saw time at center last week, and center Kingsley Eguakun spent last season on the Lions' practice squad as an undrafted rookie. 'It's different from guard of course, but I'm glad I've had prior experience, too, playing center so it's nothing brand new to me," Ratledge said. "So coming back out here and getting in the feel of it. But as far as center goes, you're taking control of the offensive line so I kind of like that aspect of it." Dave Birkett is the author of the book, "Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline." Order your copy here. Contact him at dbirkett@ Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' Frank Ragnow retires after 7 seasons
Miami Herald
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
News, notes, observations from the Dolphins' Wednesday practice session. Who impressed
Notes and observations from Wednesday's Dolphins OTA session, the first of five practices that will be open to reporters over the next 15 days before the team adjourns for time off before training camp: ▪ Cam Smith, the former second-round pick, was smoked by Jaylen Waddle on a 60-yard touchdown, then grabbed his quad at the end of the play. He was limping noticeably, left briefly and then returned. Smith has battled injuries and performed unevenly during two seasons with the team and the Dolphins have put him on notice that he must perform. Miami has been counting on him to help fill a void at corner; whether he can remains to be seen. ▪ Austin Jackson, coming off knee surgery last November, was working at right tackle -- an encouraging sign. The one remaining health question on the offensive line will be whether new guard James Daniels, off a Week 4 torn Achilles, will be ready for training camp. ▪ Receiver Tyreek Hill, coming off two offseason wrist procedures, was training on his own doing 7 on 7 work and also doing a juggling drill with De'Von Achane that clearly showed he doesn't have a good mastery of the hand yet. Hill, whose right wrist is heavily taped, will be ready for camp, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has said on his TV segment. ▪ Tua Tagovailoa completed a 30-yard pass to Jaylen Waddle, who had two 30-plus yard catches and was the most impactful receiver working with Tagovailoa on Wednesday. Waddle did his damage against Cam Smith, Storm Duck and Ethan Bonner. Waddle and Bradley Chubb were arguably the top performers Wednesday. ▪ Chubb, who hasn't played in a game in 17 month, sacked new No. 2 quarterback Zach Wilson twice, including once while being blocked by Ryan Hayes. He's rounding into form after major knee injuries. ▪ Second-year edge player Chop Robinson had a good day, including at least one sack. ▪ Duck, one of several players competing for a bigger job after the release of Kendall Fuller and the inevitable forthcoming trade of Jalen Ramsey, wore the orange jersey given to the previous day's practice standout. Edge player Jaelan Phillips and cornerback Ethan Bonner wore the orange jerseys on Tuesday. ▪ There will be some growing pains for rookie second-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea. Matt Dickerson beat him for a sack. ▪ Receiver Tajh Washington, the 2024 seventh-round pick, was in a red non-contact jersey. He missed all of last season with an injury sustained during the summer. ▪ Tight end Tanner Connor, whose season ended prematurely last year due to injury, had a nice reception from Tagovailoa in 7 on 7 drills. Isaiah Johnson was in coverage. Veteran Jonnu Smith wasn't working Wednesday, so there were plenty of opportunities for the other tight ends. ▪ Besides Smith and Ramsey (who is no longer around the team), defensive linemen Zach Sieler also wasn't spotted, but these workouts are voluntary. ▪ Veteran running back Alexander Mattison, signed as a free agent in March, had a nice run after a catch from Zach Wilson on an outlet pass that he could have run for a touchdown if the play hadn't been stopped. Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. was vicitimized in coverage on that play. ▪ Rookie running back Ollie Gordon III has good speed and showed an ability to turn a corner on outside runs. ▪ Wilson completed a pass to Dee Eskridge, who made a nice one-handed catch with cornerback Kendall Sheffield in coverage. But Wilson also threw two poor passes. ▪ Safety Elijah Campbell stripped running back Jaylen Wright on a carry. ▪ Jaelan Phillips, off last September's knee injury, didn't participate in team work but has been involved in practice, Mike McDaniel said. ▪ Grayson Murphy, the former UCLA edge rusher who missed his rookie season last year due to injury, had a nice pressure on No. 4 quarterback Brett Gabbert, flushing him out of the pocket. Miami Herald sports writers Omar Kelly and C. Isaiah Smalls III reported from the team's practice site in Miami Gardens.
NBC Sports
11-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Giants agree to terms with OL James Hudson
The Giants agreed to terms on a two-year deal with offensive tackle James Hudson III, Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports. He is expected to compete for the swing tackle job. Hudson played only four games with three starts last season before undergoing surgery on his right shoulder. He started the first two games of the season at left tackle in place of Jedrick Wills Jr. and was playing right tackle in place of Dawand Jones against the Giants when he initially injured his shoulder. He started a Week 4 game against the Raiders at left tackle but did not play again. Hudson, a fourth-round pick of the Browns in 2021, has appeared in 49 games with 17 starts in his career.
Reuters
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Panthers moving on from veteran LB Shaq Thompson
February 24 - The Carolina Panthers will not re-sign veteran outside linebacker Shaq Thompson, allowing the former first-round draft pick to enter free agency. "We appreciate Shaq's leadership and dedication over the past 10 seasons, general manager Dan Morgan said in a statement Monday. "Always a source of passion and enthusiasm, he was committed to this organization on and off the field, poured into his teammates, and strived to bring out the best in them. "We wish Shaq the best as he moves forward with his career." Injuries limited Thompson, 30, to four games in 2024 (torn Achilles) and two games in 2023 (broken ankle). He has recorded 752 tackles, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles and three interceptions in 123 games (112 starts) since Carolina drafted him with the 25th overall pick in 2015 out of Washington. Thompson helped the Panthers reach Super Bowl 50 during his rookie season and climbed to fourth place in team history in tackles, trailing Luke Kuechly (1,092), Thomas Davis (1,077) and Mike Minter (771). Thompson, who turns 31 in April, told reporters in January that he hoped to end his career with Carolina. "Be one of those guys in history that played with one team. But it's up to them," he said. "These two injuries ... it happens. All I can do is get better and come back strong." Thompson played last season on a one-year, $3.1 million deal, per Spotrac. The five-time team captain tallied 35 tackles in four starts before injuring his Achilles in a Week 4 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. --Field Level Media
