NFL news: Frank Ragnow unretires to join Lions for playoff push

The Detroit Lions received a major boost to their offense on Wednesday.

Four-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow has come out of retirement and rejoined the team, according to multiple reports. The Lions apparently confirmed the reports by posting a photo of Ragnow coming out of the tunnel on social media.

Ragnow, 29, abruptly retired from the team in June. He posted on social media that he tried to convince himself he was ready to play, but said it was instead time to prioritize his health. He had spent his entire seven-year career with the Lions after being drafted by the team in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Frank Ragnow (77) of the Detroit Lions looks on during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on December 30, 2024. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)

“I gave this team everything I had and thought I had more to give, but the reality is that’s just not the case,” Ragnow said in a June Instagram post. “I have to listen to my body and this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life.”

“These past few months have been very trying as I realized that my football journey was coming to an end and that I was officially retiring from the NFL,” Ragnow continued. “The Lions organization has been absolutely incredible throughout this entire process and I can’t stress enough how grateful I am to this team and all the fans. It’s been an absolute honor to fight for all of you.”

PATRIOTS PLACE STAR OFFENSIVE PLAYER ON IR WITH KNEE INJURY BEFORE STRETCHED RUN

Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) warms up before the game between the Detroit Lions and the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, December 15, 2024. (Junfu Han/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

After the 2021 season, Lions general manager Brad Holmes made Ragnow the highest-paid center in the league at the time with a four-year, $54 million contract.

The center made the Pro Bowl in consecutive seasons after signing the contract, as he remained one of the best centers in the sport despite suffering injuries throughout his career. The contract he signed runs through the 2026 season, so upon his return to Detroit, his deal remains in effect.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Bundle FOX One and FOX Nation to stream the entire FOX Nation library, plus live FOX News, Sports and Entertainment at our lowest price of the year. Offer ends January 4, 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)

If a player is on the club’s retired reserve list, he must be reinstated before the team’s Week 13 game in order to play this season, according to ESPN. With the Lions playing on Thanksgiving against the Green Bay Packers, Wednesday was the last day Ragnow could have returned and been eligible to play.

Ragnow’s return is a huge boost for the 7-4 Lions, who are currently third in the NFC North. It is unclear when Ragnow will debut in the 2025 season.

The Lions face the Packers at 1 p.m. ET tomorrow on FOX.

Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage onand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.