Tag: Frank Ragnow

Detroit Lions built Campbell-tough, ready to roll into NFC Championship game at 49ers

TE Zach Ertz arrives, hopes to help young guys

ALLEN PARK — It is not a usual week for the Lions as they prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game on Sunday.

More at stake, more media and more attention, but the same old Dan Campbell. 

“This will be an outstanding test for us, but it’s one we’re ready for, we’re built to handle this,’’ Campbell said on Wednesday. “This will be an outstanding game on the road. Our guys will be ready to roll.’’

Since the start of the season, Campbell has said this team was built for winning. Every player in the locker room meets the standards that Campbell and GM Brad Holmes have set.

“Everything starts with ability, you have to have ability in this league. We have ability,’’ Campbell said. “But deeper than that you have to be able to handle the ebbs and flows of the game in a season, in playoffs. That’s what has been built for three years now. That’s what gives me faith.’’

Center Frank Ragnow has lived through plenty of adversity individually and with the team since 2018. He knows he is not alone.

“We’re hardened by that. I don’t want to say that makes us fearless because we definitely respect our opponent but we’re not going to back down to the battle for sure,’’ Ragnow said.

Campbell is not guaranteeing a win. That’s not his style. He’s guaranteeing his team will be ready to handle anything thrown their way.

“There are going to be things that happen in this game that it’s going to look like it’s out of control and it’s not going to go well for us. As long as we just play the next play it will turn, that’s what we’ve done all year,’’ Campbell said. “That’s the most important thing to keep in mind, but you have to be made a certain way and the team has to be made a certain way to be able to handle that. Otherwise you just crumble. That’s what gives me faith, we have a team that’s built that way.’’

The coach said there was not one certain moment in the season where he knew the team would get down to the NFL’s version of the Final Four.

“I don’t necessarily think like that. To me it’s one week at a time. It’s about finding a way to get the most wins you can, get yourself into a position when you get into the playoffs, you have the best possible advantage to advance,’’ Campbell said.

He said he would’ve said in training camp that he had a good team but it was all about getting into the postseason. 

“We got in and now we’re just one week at a time,’’ Campbell said.

Ertz on board

Veteran tight end Zach Ertz is ready to help. He was signed to the practice squad on Monday after Brock Wright was injured Sunday and participated in the team’s walk-through/practice on Wednesday.

“He’s here. I know he’s in shape. We are just going to gauge this and see where we’re at. He’ll be out here (at practice). He’s played and played at a high level,’’ Campbell said. “There’s things that he does well. It’s just a matter of: Is this the week to use him.”

Ertz said he wants to earn whatever reps he gets.

“I’m just here to support the guys anyway I can, hopefully I can teach Sam (LaPorta) or some of these young tight ends some things,’’ Ertz said.

Ertz, 33, started seven games for the Cardinals in the 2023 season and then was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 24. He was waived on Nov. 30.

INJURY UPDATE: For the Lions, the Wednesday injury report is estimated because they had a walk-through instead of practice. Jonah Jackson (knee), Sam LaPorta (knee) and Frank Ragnow (ankle, toe, knee, back) did not participate; Alex Anzalone (shoulder/ribs) and Josh Reynolds (ribs) were limited; James Houston (ankle) fully participated.

For the 49ers, WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday and is uncertain for Sunday.

UP NEXT: NFC Championship game featuring Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers, 6:30 p.m., Sunday on FOX.

Lions’ C Frank Ragnow sees the light with care for his chronic ailing toe

ALLEN PARK — Frank Ragnow has a message for fans who offered him a spare toe: “The people tweeting at me about donating your toe, I’m OK. I don’t need anyone’s toe.’’

The Detroit Lions center has dealt with a chronic toe issue for years. He had a maintenance day off from practice leading up to the win at Kansas City which sparked the fans’ concerns. It was a planned day of rest. All’s good and he expects that will happen throughout the season.

Ragnow credits Brett Fischer, the Lions’ new director of player health & performance, and his team with helping him deal with the disturbing digit.

“(Fisch) tells me he thinks more about my toe than he does his wife,’’ Ragnow said on Monday. “I feel bad about that, he really puts forth his best effort every single day.’’

Ragnow can see a difference with the treatment this year.

“I was in a dark place. I’m not going to lie with this toe. They’ve been able to make me see the light, it’s been hands down a lot better,’’ Ragnow said. “It’s hard as a player to not be practicing with your guys. That’s the part that sucks. But understanding for the long run for Sundays it’s going to help me a lot. Not just with the rest days, just the rehab and everything they’ve been doing has been great.’’

For the first time in two years, the five offensive line starters were healthy and lined up together at Kansas City. Expect to see them together again Sunday at Ford Field hosting the Seattle Seahawks and hopefully for the rest of the season.

“For me individually, it’s cool to be able to play with four freak shows like that. It makes my job a lot, lot easier, especially having Jonah (Jackson) and Big V (Halapoulivaati Vaitai) by my side. Two animals,’’ Ragnow said.

Coach Dan Campbell has repeatedly stated the obvious that the O-line is the strength of the offense. They showed it in the win on Thursday. That certainly includes Ragnow and his toe.

Lions draft OL Colby Sorsdal in fifth round

ALLEN PARK — With the 152nd overall pick, the Lions drafted Colby Sorsdal who was a five-year starter at William & Mary. It was the Lions’ first of two selections on Saturday, the final day of the draft.

Sorsdal, who is 6-foot-6 and 301 pounds, was a team captain with 46 starts at right tackle. He became a starter as a true freshman for the Tribe.

“I can’t really explain the feelings right now, I think I have hives a little bit for how excited I am,’’Sorsdal said during a Zoom interview from his family home in Dallas.

Look for him to possibly move to the interior line due to his lack of length (short arms). He said he just wants to make an impact wherever he is on the field.

He joins one of the best offensive lines in the NFL with guys like Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Penei Sewell and Jonah Jackson.

“I think one of my strengths is that I learn and I love to learn. Coming into a room and learning from all of those guys, it’s a dream come true,’’ Sorsdal said. “I’m just excited to get to work.’’

He first talked to the Lions at the Shrine game and a local scout was at his pro day. He said he’s also talked to Hank Fraley, the Lions offensive line coach.

Sorsdal wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine, but has size, experience, moves very well and most of all he has toughness, according to Brian Baldinger of the NFL Network.

He was a  third-team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection for his play in 10 starts in 2021. Then he was a first-team FCS All-American and All-CAA notice as a 13-game starter in his final season.