Detroit Lions' Frank Ragnow 'in a good spot' with injuries; Brock Wright heads to IR
Brock Wright's season is over.
The Detroit Lions placed Wright on injured reserve Wednesday with the forearm injury he suffered in last week's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and signed defensive tackle Tyson Alualu to the 53-man roster from the practice squad.
Wright hurt his arm in the second half of the Lions' divisional playoff game. He caught a key 29-yard pass to convert a third-and-1 on the Lions' go-ahead third quarter touchdown drive and stayed in to block on Craig Reynolds' 1-yard run, but was in a sling in the locker room after the game.
The Lions signed veteran tight end Zach Ertz to the practice squad this week, to play as the No. 3 tight end in Wright's absence.
Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta was listed as a nonparticipant on Wednesday's practice report as he continues to rehab a knee injury he's played through the past two weeks, and backup Anthony Firkser signed from practice squad to the 53-man roster earlier this month after James Mitchell was placed on injured reserve following hand surgery.
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"I’m excited," Ertz said Wednesday. "Obviously, this whole year’s kind of been a whirlwind, just taking it day by day and when this opportunity presented itself I couldn’t say no. I’m excited. Obviously, this team is on a role. Young, hungry, so I’m excited to be a part of it."
Rags to riches
Left guard Jonah Jackson (knee), return man Kalif Raymond (knee) and Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow (ankle/toe/knee/back) also were listed as nonparticipants on Wednesday's practice report, when the Lions held a walk-through instead of a pratice.
Ragnow, who did not miss a snap after spraining his knee in the first half of the Bucs game, said Wednesday he felt "pretty good" after getting rolled up on in last week's game.
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"Better than I expected," he said. "Stiff, definitely stiff, but been rehabbing and feel pretty good so I'm in a good spot."
Ragnow was named one of five finalists for the NFL Players Association's Alan Page Community Award on Wednesday, along with Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, Washington Commanders offensive tackle Charles Leno and Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Harrison Phillips.
Ragnow said his charity, Rags Remembered, which helps children dealing with the loss of a loved one, raised more than $20,000 after former Lions lineman Tyrell Crosby tweeted a link to his charity Sunday asking fans to donate as a way to thank Ragnow for pushing through injuries this season.
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Ragnow has battled chronic toe problems for three seasons, and also underwent minor knee surgery in December. He said he was honored to be a finalist for the community service award.
"It’s special and it’s an honor and it’s huge for my foundation, Rags Remembered," he said. "We’re just starting this thing and I just think it’s going to be a huge springboard into something even more special in the future to be able to help out a lot of families."
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' Brock Wright heads to IR, Frank Ragnow honored
