The Detroit Lions defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 in the Divisional Round Sunday.
For the first time since 1992, Detroit will be playing in the NFC Championship. This time, they will travel to San Francisco to play the 49ers on Sunday at 5:30 P.M. Central Time.
However, there is some bad news for the Lions. Their starting left guard suffered an injury against the Buccaneers, and will likely be out.
The Detroit Lions will likely not have their Pro Bowl guard in the NFC Championship Game.
Jonah Jackson injured his knee in the first half of the Divisional Round after he tweaked his knee run blocking. Jackson limped off the field and went straight to the locker room.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Jackson suffered a slight meniscus tear. He underwent surgery and will likely miss the NFC Championship Game.
#Lions guard Jonah Jackson underwent surgery for a slight meniscus tear, per source. The former Pro Bowler is expected to miss the NFC championship game but can be back for the Super Bowl should the Lions advance.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 22, 2024
If Detroit defeats San Francisco, there is a possibility that Jonah Jackson will play in the Super Bowl, according to head coach Dan Campbell:
“It’s hard to say. I think the timeline could be there, it’s just a matter of how fast this thing heals and what it feels like,” Campbell told reporters on January 22 when speaking on Jackson’s recovery. “I think there’s a possibility, but we’ll see.”
This will (likely) be his sixth game missed this season.
Jonah Jackson was limited to 12 games due to multiple injuries during the regular season. Jackson suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 5 and missed Weeks 6-8. He suffered a wrist injury in Week 10 and missed Weeks 11-12.
The Pro Bowl offensive lineman appeared in 798 snaps, had five penalties, allowed two sacks, and had a 59.7 PFF Grade.
Who will be his replacement (if he cannot play)?
Kayode Awosika will likely be the starter in the absence of Jackson. Awosika started three games during the regular season, representing 252 snaps, had two penalties, allowed one sack, and had a 59.8 PFF Grade.
Awosika filled in for Jackson last week and allowed five pressures per PFF.
Campbell is very confident in Awosika:
“Yode gets to go in and he did some good things for us. And he’s played, though. He’s played quite a bit for us. He played for us last year and now he goes in this game and he’s going to be able to get a, you’re the starter, you’re getting all the reps. You’re preparing with the rest of those guys in there, so that’ll be good for him. But it is big. That’s why you have depth, that’s why you develop those guys and give them a chance to play, practice, because you’re going to need them.”
Will they be able to slow down San Francisco’s elite defensive line?
With the injury to Jonah Jackson, will the Detroit Lions be able to slow down the San Francisco 49ers’ elite defensive line and win the line of scrimmage?
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