Pressers and scrums: Ragnow not expected to be down long and Lions pleased with CB depth
Allen Park — Frank Ragnow won’t play this week against Seattle, but the Detroit Lions remain optimistic the All-Pro center’s absence won’t require an injured reserve stint, which would sideline him for a minimum of four games.
“I don’t feel that way, I really don’t,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “Frank, heals up really quickly, normally. …he’s (already) starting to feel a lot better. So, I don’t feel that way, but we’re still early here.”
Typically, if an injured reserve decision were coming, it’d happen before the upcoming game. If the Lions wait, the four-game clock won't start until after the transaction becomes official. It’s not like baseball, where you can make a move to the injured list retroactively.
Through his seven seasons with Detroit, Ragnow has battled a unfortunate laundry list of injuries. In 2023, he powered through knee and back ailments, while continuing to navigate a chronic toe condition. He’s also missed time with a concussion, a groin injury and a fractured throat during his career.
Only the toe, which required surgery in 2021, has managed to keep him out of the lineup long-term.
Star tight end good to go
In positive injury news, tight end Sam LaPorta is set to play against the Seahawks on Monday after suffering an ankle sprain in last week’s victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
“He looked really good yesterday,” Campbell said. “That was good to see, so he’s bounced back quickly, healed up nicely. So, no, he’s good.”
LaPorta has shown comparable toughness to Ragnow, dating back to the tight end’s time at Iowa, returning to play in the school's bowl game after a late-season knee injury as a senior. He similarly fought through an ugly-looking hyperextension of his knee to play in the playoffs for the Lions last season.
As for safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle), Campbell had no update.
Reactive game planning
Seattle's injury issues are even worse than Detroit's, with 19 players appearing on the team’s report Thursday afternoon. That list had five players completely sidelined for the session, including defensive linemen Leonard Williams, Boye Mafe and rookie Byron Murphy II.
I asked Campbell if the team game plans differently when an opponent is dealing with so many injuries to a single position group.
“I think where they’re at, this is not a week where that plays into it,” Campbell said. “We’re assuming they’re all up. We know what they’ve got over there with Williams, with (Seahawks RB Kenneth) Walker, and they’re playing, as far as I’m concerned. They’re all playing, and we’ve got to be ready.
“If they don’t, then we’ll adjust from there,” Campbell said. “But we’ve got to assume that their guys are going, no different than they have to assume ours are.”
Walker, the opponent's starting running back, remained a limited practice participant this week as he battles an oblique injury. He’s been out since the season opener.
Four other Seahawks were limited Thursday, including another defensive lineman, Jonathan Hankins (calf), as well as starting linebacker Tyrel Dodson (shoulder) and tight end Noah Fant (toe).
Tip of the cap
The team is putting Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson in its Pride of the Lions at halftime. The ceremony is expected to see dozens of franchise alumni in attendance.
Campbell reiterated some glowing comments he’s made about Johnson in the past.
“I was fortunate to play with him,” Campbell said. “It wasn’t very long and he was a pup, but man, when you have the ability that that guy has, the things that God gave him, and then he gives everything he’s got, he works, he worked at his craft, he was an unselfish player, he was a great teammate, then it’s no wonder he’s a Hall of Famer.
"Those guys, they’re kind of rare," Campbell continued. "They’re very rare. And so I just think he was the total package as a player, as a teammate, as a person, and I think it speaks volumes for the team, the organization, to be able to have him back in the fold and to be able to honor him because he deserves that. He’s earned that and he’s just, man, he’s a hell of a dude.”
Lions defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend was asked if he ever played against Johnson and the coach coyly acknowledged one meeting, but he didn’t remember what happened, suggesting Johnson had torched the defense in the matchup.
The reality was much different as Johnson was limited to one catch for 2 yards in a 2009 game against Townsend’s Steelers, exiting in the first quarter with a knee injury that would sideline him the next two games.
DPIs not a concern
Townsend isn’t worried about the early string of pass interference penalties being amassed by rookie Terrion Arnold, who drew his fourth flag for the infraction in the win over Arizona.
"That's the thing in the league; if you're a DB and you've played, you've had at least one PI called on you,” Townsend said. “That's just the nature of the business. He just has to keep playing. That's the one thing that we have to continue to do is not worry about the penalties and just go play. I always kind of joke around and tell them, 'They can't call 60 PIs, so just keep being close.' That's what we want. He's been close in a lot of coverages and that's the main thing. We want to continue to work on those little things and being close in coverage.
"He's been great,” Townsend continued. “I look back to my rookie year and his year, and I would take his over mine. He's been doing a great job.”
Valued depth
Detroit's cornerback depth has only been tested in short spurts this season, with Ennis Rakestraw and Kindle Vildor coming off the bench for a combined 15 snaps.
Rakestraw has been down the past couple of weeks with a hamstring injury he suffered during pre-game warmups, but Townsend rests easier knowing the team has quality, experienced depth behind starters Arnold and Carlton Davis III.
“Really, when you look to the sideline and you have guys that have meaningful reps in the NFL, it's big,” Townsend said, referencing Vildor and Khalil Dorsey. “Kindle went out there one play — that probably nobody even saw — went out there against Mike Evans in Tampa and did his job. It was just one play, but that play was really big because — you guys didn't notice it because he didn't catch it, but it was a great play to have guys that can right in and it doesn't slow you.”
Really enjoying this format, as others have also said. Specifically, the tidbits from the positional coaches are great and really flavor the character of the team for me. Thanks Justin, keep grinding. 💪
Ifeatu Melifonwu doing pre-breakout Ifeatu Melifonwu things. 🙄