FRANK RAGNOW

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have begun signing their draft class heading into the start of rookie minicamp at the end of the week. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, the No. Hutchinson’s contract is a four-year pact worth a fully-guaranteed $35.7 million, and includes a $23.2 million signing bonus. He trails only quarterback Jared Goff ($33.5 million), left tackle Taylor Decker ($15 million), center Frank Ragnow ($13.5 million), defensive end Romeo Okwara ($12.3 million), receiver DJ Chark ($10 million) and right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai ($9 million). Detroit still must work out contracts with receiver Jameson Williams (first round), edge Josh Paschal (second round), safety Kerby Joseph (third round), tight end James Mitchell (fifth round), linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (sixth round) and edge James Houston (sixth round).

The Detroit Lions have been so bad in recent years, winning an average of four games since 2018, that they desperately need an influx of talent at a lot of positions on both sides of the ball.

ALLEN PARK -- D’Andre Swift reported for the Detroit Lions’ offseason program this week. As someone was asking if he ever thinks about what it will be like to run behind that star-studded offensive line, a smile rolled across that oft-stoic face. And excitement is building for an offensive line that could be on the precipice of joining the league’s elite. Yet the offensive line continued to play at a high level, including paving the way for a running game that averaged 4.4 yards per carry, their best output since Barry Sanders was still running around the Pontiac Silverdome in 1998. Big, strong kid man, and great energy.”When it comes to Detroit’s offensive line, it’s nothing but these days.

The Detroit Lions have signed unrestricted free agent Tracy Walker to a $25 million, three-year deal and he is determined to be part of the team's turnaround.

This is the fourth of a seven-part series previewing the Detroit Lions’ positional needs heading into free agency. He’s also been a quick learner on the offensive line, making the switch from the defensive side of things in the past couple of years. With that said, don’t expect the Lions to break the bank on the offensive line. He’s started 33 consecutive games for the reigning Super Bowl champions. He’s started at least 15 games every year since 2016.

The Detroit Lions have wrapped up the 2021 season. Sewell eventually moved back to right tackle upon Decker’s return, then was one of the best players in the league at that position too. Decker, meanwhile, was outstanding once he returned to left tackle for the second half of the season. His return also allowed Sewell to kick back to right tackle, and solidified some issues with Matt Nelson there. That was always the expectation once the Lions used another first-round pick on an offensive lineman, and at this rate, it could become reality in 2022.

So perhaps it should come as no surprise that when the Detroit Lions’ Pro Bowl center blew out a tendon in his foot in Chicago, well, he wanted to play through that too. “Pain-wise, I think because it completely ruptured, at first I thought I could completely deal with it because there wasn’t much pain,” Ragnow said. But he made it just four weeks into the season before rupturing the tendon in the plantar plate of his foot. His return will be welcomed by a Lions team that never once got to see its first-team offensive line on the field at the same time. “Don’t get it twisted, three wins is brutal,” Ragnow said.

Every year, players in every NFL city fail to meet expectations.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions were blanked from the NFC Pro Bowl roster this season, with four players named alternates at their positions. Injured tight end T.J. Hockenson, offensive guard Jonah Jackson, fullback Jason Cabinda and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin are the alternates. Hockenson made the Pro Bowl last year, with center Frank Ragnow and punter Jack Fox joining him. The third-year tight end recently underwent season-ending thumb surgery. Cabinda is a multi-faceted contributor, with the converted linebacker seeing work at fullback, tight end and on special teams.

There’s a pretty good chance you don’t even know who Evan Brown is, and that speaks to just how good he’s been since taking over for Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow two months ago. But the Detroit Lions announced on Monday afternoon they’re moving Brown to the COVID list, further depleting the interior of their offensive line heading into next week’s game against the Denver Broncos. If Brown is vaccinated, he could still have time to play in the game. And while Ragnow’s Pro Bowl shoes are awfully tough to fill, Brown has done a great job at it while starting the last eight games. “You go into your game, first start that you’ve ever had, and anybody -- if they say they’re not nervous, they’re lying to you,” Brown said recently.

The Detroit Lions activated their left tackle for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, providing Jared Goff with some timely protection against one of the league’s best defenses. Decker is expected to make his season debut at left tackle, while promising rookie Penei Sewell will make his career debut at right tackle. He didn’t allow a sack in 15 games and ranked among the top 11 tackles -- left and right -- according to ProFootballFocus. Without him, the Lions were forced to move Sewell to left tackle and then insert Matt Nelson into the starting lineup on the right side. Mason Rudolph will start for him under center, his first start of the season and just his second since 2019.

Dan Campbell spent much of last week scouting his own winless team.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have signed offensive guard Tommy Kraemer from their practice squad after placing Logan Stenberg on injured reserve earlier this week. Kraemer spent training camp and the preseason with the Lions, also spending time on the team’s practice squad this season. Kraemer was the last remaining offensive lineman on the practice squad before this morning’s roster moves. They also announced the additions of offensive tackle Darrin Paulo and cornerback Daryl Worley to the practice squad. Paulo spent time with the team in camp and the preseason, serving on the team’s practice squad until a couple of weeks ago.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have placed offensive lineman Logan Stenberg on injured reserve. He’s the team’s 15th player on injured reserve at the moment, opening a roster spot heading into Week 8. In Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the second-year offensive guard was limited to three snaps on special teams. Stenberg had logged special teams snaps in each game this season, drawing four offensive plays along the way. Jackson has started all 23 games for the Lions since, while Stenberg has four offensive snaps to his name through two seasons.

Taylor Decker could also return until as late as next season. The Detroit Lions simply don’t know yet when -- or whether -- their left tackle will play again in 2021. “When you play left tackle, there’s a big part of this mentally,” Campbell said. Sewell flipped from right to left tackle, and Decker has spent the first six weeks of the season on injured reserve. With two weeks left in the evaluation window, Campbell says Detroit is still weighing its options, including the possibility of shutting down Decker for the season.

The Lions announced on Thursday morning they are moving Corey Ballentine to injured reserve. Ballentine is the 14th player to land on IR already, by far a high in the NFC North. Detroit did not announce a corresponding roster move heading into the final day of practice for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Both Decker and Strong returned to practice this week and are eligible to return to the 53-man roster at any time. He is expected to play left tackle when he returns to the field, bumping rookie Penei Sewell back to right tackle.

Left tackle Taylor Decker will make his return to the practice field on Wednesday as Detroit prepares for a Week 6 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at Ford Field. He can practice for up to three weeks before Detroit must either return him to the 53-roster or shut him down for the season. Decker is expected to stay at left tackle, the position at which he has rose to prominence over the years, while rookie Penei Sewell is expected to move back to right tackle. Defensive tackle Kevin Strong, also on injured reserve, is expected to return to practice as well. Just as Decker is closing in on a long-awaited return to the field, Detroit has lost star center Frank Ragnow for the season.

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell says center Frank Ragnow feels guilty about having season-ending toe surgery.

ALLEN PARK -- Frank Ragnow has undergone successful surgery on his “stupid toe” after a frustrating 48 hours that ultimately ended his bid to play again in 2021. The Detroit Lions’ Pro Bowl center injured his toe two weeks ago in Chicago and was placed on injured reserve, but remained hopeful he could play again this season. “It has been an extremely frustrating past 48 hours,” Ragnow said in an Instagram post on Wednesday morning. “Had a successful surgery yesterday on my stupid toe and can’t wait to attack the process and get back to 100%. Decker suffered a finger injury in the days leading up to the season opener and has yet to play this season.

The winless, and banged-up Detroit Lions have taken another hit.

ALLEN PARK -- Even on their off day, the Detroit Lions can’t catch a break. Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow requires toe surgery and will be shut down for the season, according to NFL Network. Ragnow suffered the injury -- a type of turf toe -- two weeks ago in Chicago and was placed on injured reserve. Ragnow was a draft-day surprise back in 2018, when no major draft analyst had the Arkansas All-American heading to Detroit. Ragnow was still under doctors’ orders not to speak when he learned he had become the first Lions center to make the Pro Bowl since Kevin Glover in 1997.

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said he was planning to be without offensive tackle Penei Sewell on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, a blow for a team already down top offensive linemen Frank Ragnow and Taylor Decker. But a day later, the prized rookie was back on the practice field for the first time all week. For a team that hasn’t won in 10 months and already moved 12 players to injured reserve -- including five starters -- the return of Sewell and Hockenson for practice on Friday was a welcomed sight indeed. But Hockenson suffered a knee injury in the loss against Chicago last weekend that forced him to miss all of practice on Wednesday and most of practice on Thursday. The Lions were planning to start Matt Nelson at one of the offensive tackle spots, with likely Halapoulivaati Vaitai at the other, or possibly the recently signed Will Holden.

ALLEN PARK -- Another day, another injury for a Detroit Lions team that cannot catch a break. Rookie offensive tackle Penei Sewell is battling an ankle injury that is expected to keep him out of Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. The Decker injury forced Sewell, the seventh overall pick in the draft, to move from right to left tackle just days before the opener against San Francisco. Assuming Sewell doesn’t play, it’s unclear how the Lions will proceed at offensive tackle. Another is Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who signed a big free-agent deal last year to be Detroit’s right tackle.

Evan Brown is expected to take over in the middle in the interim. Taylor Decker is not expected back for this weekend’s game in Minnesota, with prized rookie Penei Sewell also absent from the team’s first practice of the week. If Sewell and Decker are forced to miss time, it’s unclear what the Lions will do. Sewell was already shifting to the left side with Decker out, pushing Matt Nelson to the right tackle spot. He’s been pretty steady and reliable, and I think knowledge-wise, he’s been right in Frank’s hip pocket.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions join the Jacksonville Jaguars as the only winless teams left in the NFL. Not what they wanted of course, but certainly not unexpected either in these very early days of a multi-year rebuild. Tight end T.J. Hockenson and offensive tackle Penei Sewell (ankle) were not practicing during the 20 minutes that were available to reporters on Wednesday, leaving the Lions without any of their first-round picks as preparations began for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. “(Alim) McNeill’s coming along, Levi (Onwuzurike), he’s got to get better, but he’s continuing to grow. Sewell, there again, we’ll see where he’s at, but I feel like we still have enough young guys that we are developing.

That has forced Sewell to move to left tackle, after the 20-year-old spent the entire offseason learning to play right tackle. He’ll be limited if he practices at all on Wednesday and his status for the Minnesota game is unclear. “I know he’s trying to get back as fast as he can,” offensive line coach Hank Fraley said. Matt Nelson has started the first four games at right tackle, and will continue to play one of the tackle positions. He was given a big contract in free agency last year to play right tackle, but injuries and performance issues dogged him throughout the season.

ALLEN PARK -- Frank Ragnow and Romeo Okwara might be Detroit’s best players on both sides of the ball. Now both have landed on injured reserve due to injuries that were sustained within moments of each other. Ragnow was moved to IR on Wednesday morning due to a kind of turf toe injury and will miss at least three games. He was moved to injured reserve this week too and is done for at least this year. The Lions have also played the last two weeks without another edge player, top run defender Trey Flowers.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions placed Romeo Okwara on injured reserve and reportedly signed offensive lineman Ryan McCollum from Houston’s practice squad. Okwara’s addition to injured reserve shouldn’t surprise anyone, with Lions coach Dan Campbell previously confirming a season-ending Achilles injury. Austin Bryant and Julian Okwara should also be in line for more work out of the edge defender room. Detroit could also be without center Frank Ragnow for a couple of games, signing McCollum from the Texans. “He’s got, basically, a version of turf toe right now is what he’s got,” Campbell said of Ragnow.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions head into another matchup considered strong underdogs, this time for their trip to face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. Oddsmakers have the Lions (0-4) considered seven- and 7.5-point underdogs against the Vikings (1-3), with an over/under total of 49.5 points. As if that wasn’t enough of a gut punch, the Lions lost edge defender Romeo Okwara to an Achilles injury for the season. I mean look, I’m prepared for -- I was prepared for however it flowed,” Campbell said of the rough start. No, I mean look --yeah, I would love to be 4-0 right now, but I’m not -- look, I’m still not discouraged.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions were supposed to have one of the best offensive lines in the league this season. But top left tackle Taylor Decker has yet to play this season due to a finger injury, and now Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow is battling a version of turf toe. Neither is expected to play on Sunday when the Lions travel to Minnesota to face a Vikings front seven that has bombarded their quarterbacks over the years. Rookie Penei Sewell has filled in for Decker at left tackle this season, but struggled the last two weeks. Detroit has not announced its plans for the offensive line when Decker returns, but Sewell said he expects to move back to right tackle whenever that happens.

The ever-evolving defensive backfield situation continues to be that, with the Detroit Lions working Daryl Worley and Jerry Jacobs into the rotation in Sunday’s loss to the Bears. Bobby Price got another start opposite Amani Oruwariye but made way for Worley and Jacobs after 35 snaps. Worley actually saw some work at safety, replacing Will Harris and playing alongside Tracy Walker for a moment. The analytics site had Parker enjoying the best day, with brutally low grades for Oruwariye, Worley and Price. But we just -- they’re hurting us a little bit right now.”Things continued to move around in the safety room too.

Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions struggled in the red zone during a 24-14 loss to the Chicago Bears.

CHICAGO -- The Detroit Lions flew across Lake Michigan looking to break the second-longest losing streak in the NFL. Instead, they’re continuing to show why they’re winless while falling behind 14-0 on Sunday against the struggling Bears at Soldier Field. The Lions allowed touchdowns on their first two defensive series, sandwiched by one of the ugliest turnovers you’ll ever see. It all happened inside the Bears’ 10-yard line. For those scoring at home, that’s three trips inside the 10-yard line in a single half, and zero points to show for it.

CHICAGO -- Hard to imagine that first quarter going any worse for the Detroit Lions. After they allowed a touchdown on their first defensive series, center Frank Ragnow shotgunned a snap off Jared Goff and right into the hands of a Bears defensive lineman while inside Chicago’s 10-yard line. Then on the very next play, safety Will Harris allowed a 64-yard pass over the top. Meantime, Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow was making his way up the tunnel with a toe injury, while edge rusher Romeo Okwara hobbled off the field with an ankle injury. All against a Bears team that managed just six points and 46 yards last week.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears meet for the first time of the year in Week 4 action from Soldier Field. Look for the Lions to get the play-action pass rolling, honing Hockenson and Swift in the passing attack. Last week, Kalif Raymond was Goff’s favorite target, with the speedy wideout catching six of 10 looks for 68 yards. Defensive player to watch: CB Bobby PriceBobby Price has endured an interesting ride over the last two months. Amani Oruwraiye had his best outing of the season last week after a rough start atop Detroit’s ultra-young and short-handed secondary.

Dan Campbell is taking over a team that isn’t supposed to win much this year and is leading a franchise as synonymous with losing as any in the NFL over the last several decades.

Among that group, only Flowers served as a captain last year, while Goff and Anzalone weren’t with the team at all. It’s unusual for players to elect newcomers as captains, although with just 26 players back from last season, most teams don’t undergo this kind of turnover either. Last year’s captains were Flowers, Matthew Stafford, Taylor Decker, Jarrad Davis, Duron Harmon and Don Muhlbach. Then the Lions traded Stafford, before letting Davis and Harmon walk in free agency and cutting Muhlbach late in camp. It has been a year of sweeping change in Detroit, and that includes in its positions of leadership.

PITTSBURGH -- The Detroit Lions continue preseason play on Saturday night by traveling to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers, though many of the faces you know won’t be in uniform. D’Andre Swift won’t play. And if those practices were any indication, even Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow won’t touch the field in Pittsburgh. The Lions won’t give up easily on Tavai, and the Shaun Dion Hamilton injury does help his chances. But injuries to Brockers, Onwuzurike, Hand, Williams and Penisini created opportunities for Strong and Hector, and both have played their way onto the roster bubble.

DETROIT -- After 13 practices and a 16-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills in their preseason opener, the Lions’ roster is starting to take shape. Here’s betting the rookie wins the starting job in the slot, and becomes one of Jared Goff’s favorite targets this season. One other name to note: Tom Kennedy, who actually led Detroit in catches (four) and receiving yards (46) against Buffalo. Secondary (11)In: CB Jeff Okudah, CB Amani Oruwariye, CB Mike Ford, CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, CB A.J. Parker, S Tracy Walker, S Will Harris, S Dean Marlowe, S C.J.

We can’t forget he’s still a rookie, he’s still developing and learning. Of course, Sewell also was tagged with the 11-yard sack on the third play of the game. The Lions just want to see progress from Sewell, and he’s making it rapidly. “Penei played great,” quarterback Jared Goff said. But he played great.

Vaitai was among the biggest disappointments in a 2020 season that was full of them for the Lions. But he’s going to do it at a different position, after the Lions used their top draft pick to add Sewell at right tackle. With Jonah Jackson coming off a nice rookie season at left guard, Vaitai is the biggest question mark of the group. After taking it easy during the walk-through on Thursday, St. Brown and Okudah were back at each other’s throats on Friday. St. Brown, by the way, has now hurdled two defenders during those tackling drills.

Taylor Decker was a first-round pick who became one of the best left tackles in the league last year. “I bring that up because I’ve seen him since February, at least seeing him around, know what he’s doing. I already know what he’s all about, and I know the work that he’s put in, and I know what his body is able to put out. On his left shoulder is Decker, who was among the best left tackles in the game last year. “But, you know, I’ve got to hold up my end of the bargain.

She cited her mental health. Now the Detroit Lions are taking an increasingly proactive approach to tending to their own players’ mental health by hiring Dr. Michelle Garvin as the first mental skills specialist/clinician in team history. Did somebody come back into his life that was not good for him? “You definitely have to take time for yourself either to talk to somebody, have somebody to talk to. The mental health part of it is definitely important.”Center Frank Ragnow knows as well as anyone how mental health can impact an athlete.

The Detroit Lions have a new head coach and general manager. You’d be hard-pressed to find another organization that has undergone more change than your Detroit Lions. On Wednesday, those very new-look Lions will open training camp in Allen Park. Jonah Jackson, last year’s third-round pick, is coming off a nice rookie season at right and then left guard. One is the future of Tyrell Crosby, who held up well while stepping in for Vaitai at right tackle last season.

Is it finally happening? Could this long, dark era of Detroit sports misery be nearing its end?

Lions players released a statement through the NFLPA in April saying they intended to opt out of voluntary workouts this spring

Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow rattled off a slew of names, thanking those who helped him become the NFL's highest-paid player at the position.

The Detroit Lions have made Frank Ragnow the NFL's highest-paid center, at $13.5 million a year. Here are the best-paid at other positions.

The Detroit Lions have signed Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow to a $54 million, four-year extension that keeps him under contract through the 2026 season.

Frank Ragnow's father, Jon, died of a heart attack in October 2016, during Ragnow's junior season at Arkansas. Detroit Lions picked him in 2018 draft.

That’s how long Frank Ragnow held up before he had to stop and choke back the tears. Ragnow is now under contract through 2026, and poised to become one of the new faces of the post-Matthew Stafford era of Detroit football. The Ragnow family has always been close, and Frank has called his father his best friend. “So I’m pretty sure he’d be saying something like that. But that’s Frank Ragnow.

Frank Ragnow says family will always come first: 'I'm so proud of the way that I was raised and how I was raised and my upbringing'

Holmes said last week it was 'very important' to sign Ragnow to an extension, but declined to put a timetable on when one would be finished

The Detroit Lions and Frank Ragnow have reportedly agreed to a four-year extension that will make him the highest-paid center in the NFL.

ALLEN PARK -- Brad Holmes said after the draft it was “extremely important” to sign Frank Ragnow to a long-term extension. Because just five days later, the new Detroit Lions general manager has made Frank Ragnow the highest-paid center in NFL history. Ragnow has agreed to a four-year extension that runs through 2026 and is worth $70 million in all, according to NFL Network. “It’s extremely important,” Holmes said, when asked about a possible Ragnow deal after the draft. “I wanted to FaceTime my mom and I literally couldn’t talk to my mom,” Ragnow later said.

According to an ESPN report, the Lions and Ragnow agreed to a four-year extension that will make him the NFL's highest-paid center.

The Detroit Lions don't want to wait to sign Frank Ragnow to an extension. Just one 2018 first-round pick, Raiders OT Kolton Miller, has signed one.

ALLEN PARK -- Almost nobody imagined the Detroit Lions would select Frank Ragnow in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. All these years later, the Detroit Lions can’t imagine life without him. General manager Brad Holmes has already picked up Ragnow’s fifth-year option for the 2022 season, but said on Saturday night he’s prioritizing a long-term extension for the Pro Bowl center. We already view him as a long-term piece and he is a foundational piece because Frank is a guy that plays the game the right way,” Holmes said. Nobody had the Lions taking Ragnow -- not one major or even minor mock draft projected the pick -- and that even includes Ragnow himself.

GM Brad Holmes called locking up Ragnow "extremely important."

The Detroit Lions exercised the fifth-year contract option on Pro Bowl offensive lineman Frank Ragnow.

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is about to have his first chance to make a difference for a long-suffering franchise.

The Detroit Lions are in a good spot ahead of this year’s NFL Draft.

(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott is inactive against San Francisco with a calf injury the two-time rushing championship has been battling for several weeks. Safety Deon Bush (foot) is also out after being listed questionable with Johnson. Cowboys: RB Ezekiel Elliott, QB Ben DiNucci, WR Malik Turner, CB Rashard Robinson, DE Bradlee Anae, LB Luke Gifford, DE Ron’Dell Carter. ___JACKSONVILLE AT BALTIMOREJaguars: CB Sidney Jones, CB Luq Barcoo, LB Quincy Williams, DT Daniel Ross, QB Jake Luton. Ravens: DE Calais Campbell, CB Jimmy Smith, CB Marcus Peters, RB Mark Ingram, LB Kristian Welch, DE Jihad Ward, C Trystan Colon-Castillo.

Frank Ragnow #77 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Los Angles Chargers at Ford Field on September 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. DETROIT – Detroit Lions star center Frank Ragnow reportedly fractured his throat early in the game against the Green Bay Packers but finished the final three quarters anyway. #Lions potential Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow, who did not practice today, suffered a fractured throat in the first quarter Sunday and finished the game somehow, source said. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 16, 2020Ragnow missed practice Wednesday due to the throat injury. RELATED: Detroit Lions come up short vs. Packers, but look much more tolerable under Darrell BevellSince the Lions drafted Ragnow No.

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. The Detroit Lions victory this week was a great win for the city. Now, the team, along with offensive lineman Frank Ragnow, wants to celebrate by giving fans a chance at some special giveaways. The United Dairy Industry of Michigan and Lions teamed up to bring fans The Home Fridge Advantage contest. UDIM wants to make sure you have a working fridge and food for the whole family.

The undefeated Titans are healing up from the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak. DeCastro will miss his third game of the season after sustaining an abdominal injury last week against Philadelphia. Johnson, Pittsburgh’s second-leading receiver, is out because of a back injury suffered on a punt return last week. Cincinnati also will be missing starting defensive tackle D.J. Eagles: RT Lane Johnson, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery, CB Avonte Maddox, S Marcus Epps, LB Duke Riley, QB Nate Sudfeld.

The Packers (4-0) and Detroit Lions (1-3) don’t play this week and therefore are the first NFL teams to get a taste of how different off weeks will be amid a pandemic. “We have new protocols in place that are meant to keep everybody safe and healthy,” Lions coach Matt Patricia said. The NFL sent out a reminder Friday that the league’s agreement with the NFL Players Association in August means players who miss tests can be punished with a $50,000 fine. “You’ve got to look no further than Tennessee.”The protocols are impacting some players more than others. While the protocols have changed those plans, it has created opportunities for those players who already have their family members with them.

Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions throws a pass while being pursued by Jordan Phillips #97 of the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter. Bills guard Quinton Spain limped off the field with an ankle injury in the first quarter and cornerback Tre'Davious White left the game with a bruised quadriceps in the second quarter. Lions kicker Matt Prater made a 61-yard field goal as the second quarter ended to narrow the Bills' lead to 14-13 at the half. The Bills (3-0) were able to run out the clock on the final possession to stay undefeated, leaving the Lions (0-3) winless in the preseason. Levi Wallace left the game briefly in the second quarter after appearing to be injured, but the starting cornerback was able to return.