Interim Detroit Lions head coach Darrell Bevell provided an updated health status on Frank Ragnow’s during a Thursday morning media session.
Frank Ragnow is as tough as they come.
Darrell Bevell alluded to it while talking with the media on Thursday morning. In last week’s game vs. the Green Bay Packers, Ragnow fractured his throat in the game’s first quarter.
Quite a horrific sounding injury, right?
After nearly a week of speculation and mystery surrounding the injury, Bevell provided clarity on Ragnow’s health. According to him, the biggest concern was the potential damage to Ragnow’s vocal cords.
“Really, the most important thing was his airway, how he’s breathing, how he’s swallowing, how he’s breathing, that kind of thing,” said Bevell.
“As they checked that out during the game, he was still able to function well, so he was safe to go back in the game. I think the initial concern was just all the trauma that he had to it, so after seeing more specialists throughout yesterday, they basically brought it to that it’s more of the vocal cord injury. So they’re having him rest his voice, [he] won’t be speaking really here. But yesterday, no words [were] spoken; today, no words spoken, he’s not supposed to talk through Friday, and then we’ll be able to reevaluate it on Friday toward the end of the week.”
Even though Ragnow sustained the injury in the first quarter, he finished the rest of the game.
Bevell did not outline any potential contingency plans to replace Ragnow in the lineup. He said the medical professionals would make that decision.
“We want to make sure that obviously we’re putting him out there in a safe environment, that he’s safe to be able to do that,” said Bevell.
What is Matthew Stafford’s status?
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is currently dealing with a rib injury. With Ragnow dealing with an unorthodox injury, there was speculation if it would affect Stafford’s playing status.
Bevell dismissed those claims.
“I wouldn’t think that would be the case, no,” said Bevell.
Bevell went on to say that no discussions took place yet on whether the Lions will shutdown Stafford for the rest of the season.
