A huge part of what the Detroit Lions have accomplished this season is due to resources that the front offense has put into the offensive line. Three of the five starters on the offensive line were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft and have become among the best at their respective positions. Detroit Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson has been able to do with his play-action system is reliant on having some high qualities bruisers to clear the way.
Lions will miss key blocker on Sunday
Unfortunately for Detroit, Head Coach Dan Campbell announced on Friday that All-Pro Center Frank Ragnow is unlikely to play on Sunday against Chicago. Ragnow has missed practice all week with an assortment of lower body injuries including toe, knee and back maladies.
“I don’t see him going,” Campbell said. “But he is improving. He’s getting better.”
Ragnow has started 11 games this season while also being unable to play in Week 8 against the Los Vegas Raiders with similar injuries. With Ragnow out, Detroit will shift right guard Graham Glasgow in to center and start Colby Sorsdai at right guard.
Ragnow was selected 20th overall by Detroit in the 2018 NFL Draft and has quicken risen to become the best center in the NFL.
What will it mean for Detroit?
While many analysts don’t value the interior offensive line positions, the center is the second most important position on the offense aside from the quarterback. It is the center’s responsibilities to call out blitzes from his position in the middle of the offensive line and adjust the pass protections accordingly. When you switch out the center and bring in a different player who isn’t as used to or as seasoned in that responsibility, the team can mess up pass protections and allow more sacks on the quarterback.
While Graham Glasgow is a solid right guard for this offensive line, asking him to take that responsibility will be outside of his comfort zone. Detroit will need to simplify the pass protections which will most likely lead to the Chicago defense running as complicated stunts as they can think of to try to confuse Glasgow.
Another key component of the Center is on essentially every run play, the center is responsible for double teaming either the nose tackle or the 3-technique. Ragnow has established himself as one of the meanest run-blockers in the league as Detroit has leaned heavily on their rushing attack all season with running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Without Ragnow, the ground game might be less effective which might throw off the effectiveness of the play-action passing game as well.
Head Coach Dan Campbell has done a magnificent job keeping this team focused throughout the season as Detroit has developed into a dominant force in the NFC. Without Ragnow, the toughest offensive line in the NFL will be missing its leader in a key game against their division rival.