Dan Campbell pointed to his head, then his heart.

Frank Ragnow has dealt with an array of injuries the past three years, from the toe problems that cost him most of the 2021 season and still impact his practice habits today, to the strained calf that kept him out one game this fall, to the knee issue that forced him to have a clean-up procedure earlier this month.

When a reporter asked how Ragnow has managed to maintain his high level of play through all his injuries, Campbell said two things matter most.

"Right between here," he said, pointing to his temple. "And right here," he said, touching his heart.

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"That’s it," Campbell said. "And you don’t know what or why or how, but if you knew that, when it came time to go to the draft entirely — you don’t know, but to find whatever that is, truly find it and you could make a lot of money if you could identify that because that is something that it’s hard to find a true test for, or to know.

"But that’s what it is, because he’s got ability, he’s tough, he’s all (those things), but it’s that. It’s that difference maker in him that just kind of wills himself to overcome issues, adversity, whatever you want to call it."

Ragnow has started 12 of a possible 14 games this season and been an anchor for a Lions offense that that ranks top-five in points scored and total, rushing and passing yards.

He missed the Lions' Week 14 loss to the Chicago Bears (and a Week 8 win over the Las Vegas Raiders), and his absence was a significant factor in the team's defeat. Quarterback Jared Goff and backup center Graham Glasgow muffed an exchange that the Bears recovered to set up the game-clinching touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

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Ragnow said last week he “had to get a little something done” on his knee that kept him out of that game; Ragnow's brother, Jack, revealed on social media he had a procedure done on his meniscus.

Campbell said he talked to Ragnow shortly after surgery, and that Ragnow insisted then he'd be on the field for last Saturday's game against the Denver Broncos. With Ragnow back in the pivot, the Lions matched their season-high in points and scored touchdowns on five straight drives in the second and third quarters for a 42-17 win.

"When (surgery) was done, I called Frank on the way out and he probably doesn’t even remember it because of what he was on," Campbell said. "But I know this, he did say, ‘I’ll be back for the next game. I’ll be back by practice on Wednesday,' and sure enough, he was. And every day he kept telling me, ‘I’ll be ready next week, I’ll be ready next week.’ And so that’s how Frank is. Frank’s going to will himself to — his mind controls his body, which we talk about all the time and the good ones can do that."

First one counts

The Lions play the Minnesota Vikings in two of their final three games, and in a scheduling quirk could host the Vikings for a third time in four weeks if the teams draw each other in the first round of the playoffs.

Entering Monday night's Seattle Seahawks-Philadelphia Eagles game, the Lions held control of the three seed and the Vikings six seed, putting them on track for a wild-card game at Ford Field.

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Campbell said he won't hold anything out of this week's gameplan so the Vikings don't see it before a potential playoff meeting. The Lions (10-4) need one win in their final three games to win their first division title in 30 years.

"Our whole focus is this is the first one," Campbell said. "So, let’s dive into this. Let’s put the best game plan we can. We can’t worry about the (second game until) after this, after Dallas. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. So we can’t hold anything back. I mean, this is it. Everything’s about finding a way to get this one and the best game plan we can possibly put together."

Asked if he has a philosophy on resting players for the playoffs once a playoff seed and/or division title is secure, Campbell indicated the Lions won't be doing that down the stretch.

"When we’re done with the season, they’re going to rest," he said. "I promise you that. They’re going to get plenty of time off."

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How Detroit Lions' Frank Ragnow is excelling through injury again