Lions guard Jonah Jackson headed to Pro Bowl as injury replacement

Jonah Jackson was one of four Lions named as a Pro Bowl alternate, and now the second-year guard gets to go to the game representing the NFC.

The Detroit Lions did not have anyone named to the initial Pro Bowl rosters back in December, but they did have four players selected as alternates. One of said alternates, second-year left guard Jonah Jackson, has been named to the NFC roster as an injury replacement for Washington guard Brandon Scherff.

Jackson played every snap of the 16 games he played this season, with a missed game in Week 15 due to a back injury. In the second half of the season finale, he showcased his versatility by moving over to play some center.

Pro Football Focus gave Jackson a 69.8 overall grade this season, which ranked No. 22 out of 82 qualified guards (h/t to Pride of Detroit).

Jackson has started 32 games over two seasons since the Lions drafted him in the third round (No. 75 overall) of the 2020 draft out of Ohio State.

Jonah Jackson looks like another foundational piece of Lions’ offensive line

The Lions’ offensive line is flush with players they drafted–Taylor Decker (2016), Frank Ragnow (2018) and Penei Sewell (2021) all in the first round, with Jackson coming in as a third-rounder and becoming an immediate starter too. But Jackson has a unique distinction now. He’s the first  home-grown Lions’ guard to be named to a Pro Bowl in the Super Bowl era.

Back in December, via Justin Rogers of The Detroit News, Jackson spoke of gaining notice as a Pro Bowl alternate with an eye on bigger accomplishments.

“It’s definitely a big honor,” Jackson said. “It means a lot. People are taking notice of the style I play. It’s definitely exciting and a stepping stone of where I want to be. I appreciate it, big time.”

“Shoot, the top, be at the top, All-Pro, Pro Bowl, whatever it is,”  “And hopefully the other four (linemen) with me there, too.”