It was an expected pronouncement from head coach Dan Campbell, but it doesn’t make it any easier to hear. During his Thursday press conference, Campbell indicated that Lions All-Pro center Frank Ragnow will not play in the Monday Night Football matchup against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4.
“We’re going to put Frank down this week,” Campbell said, meaning he won’t be active.
Ragnow suffered a partially torn pectoral muscle in Detroit’s Week 3 win over the Cardinals. He played through the pain in the game, but he will now sit out the next one.
“We’re not going to mess with that,” coach Campbell continued. “Frank’s tough, he’s as tough as nails. If anybody can play though it, it’s him. I think we’ve got to be smart. Look, it’s early in the year, we’ve got a lot of football left.”
Campbell did not give any indication that the team was placing Ragnow on the injured reserve list. The Lions have a bye following Week 4.