Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow received 'good news' in MRI, Alex Anzalone could return
The Detroit Lions may have to roll with yet another different starting offensive line combination Week 14 due to injury, but they also may not be without their standout center for long.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said center Frank Ragnow received a positive report from Monday’s MRI on his injured knee but might miss this week's game against the Chicago Bears. Ragnow injured his knee in the second quarter of Sunday’s win over the New Orleans Saints and did not return.
“I feel like, more than anything, we’ve got good news,” Campbell said. “But that doesn’t mean that he’s going to be available this week.”
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Ragnow left the game with more than eight minutes left in the second quarter when players rolled into the back of his leg while he was blocking. He limped off the field and directly to a cart that took him to the locker room and did not return. Right guard Graham Glasgow slid over to center and rookie Colby Sorsdal stepped in at guard to replace the injured Ragnow.
Campbell praised Glasgow for being able to switch roles on the fly and said games like Sunday are part of the reason why the team signed him in free agency last offseason.
"(Glasgow) played really, really well at center yesterday," Campbell said. "It's valuable to have him here because we do have a lot of confidence in him playing center."
If Ragnow is out this week, that will be the second game he hasn't started this year, after sitting out Week 8 vs. Las Vegas with a calf injury. Through 12 games, Detroit has started eight different offensive line combinations and could see a ninth against Chicago with Sorsdal at right guard and Glasgow at center.
The Lions continued to be able to run the ball and protect quarterback Jared Goff after Ragnow's injury. They ran for 142 yards and two touchdowns and only allowed one sack against New Orleans. Most of the damage was done early with Ragnow still in, but the offense was still able to kill the clock by consistently moving the ball on the ground.
An Anzalone return?
Campbell also said there is a “chance” starting linebacker Alex Anzalone will return from his hand injury that kept him sidelined for the Saints game. He said the other linebackers — Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes and Jalen Reeves-Maybin — had strong performances in Anzalone's absence.
Campbell and Barnes tied for the team lead in tackles with nine apiece. Campbell, who took over the defensive signals in New Orleans for the first time, led the team with two tackles for loss. Reeves-Maybin had four special teams tackles and two defensive tackles, also recording a pass defended and a quarterback hit.
"They all had a hand in it," Dan Campbell said. "The (linebacker) room was big for us. That was another area that we felt good. If there's an area we got depth and guys we trust, it's in the linebacker room right now."
"Hopefully, we do get Alex back this week and that just brings more firepower."
Campbell also said defensive tackle Alim McNeil is "a little banged up" and would have a more definitive update on his status later this week.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow received 'good news' in MRI on knee
