Detroit Lions Jonah Jackson Has High Expectations for Return

The Detroit Lions' bye week came at the perfect time, allowing for multiple starting offensive linemen to return from injuries. Among them is Jonah Jackson, who is set to return to action for the first time since Week 5 when he suffered a high-ankle sprain.

Four of Detroit's five starting linemen have missed at least one game this season. Jackson, in particular, has missed the last three. 

With the bye now over, though, he and center Frank Ragnow are set to re-enter the fold. As a result, Jackson has big expectations for Detroit's final nine games.

"I feel like we're still hitting our stride," Jackson said. "We've had eight different lineups in seven games. We're just getting started, the feast is about to start." 

With Jackson and several others sidelined, the door was opened for veteran Graham Glasgow. The 31-year-old has started games at both guard spots, along with the center position, through eight games. 

Along with that versatility, he has played at a high level across his different positions. Jackson offered praise to Glasgow, along with other replacements, Kayode Awosika and Colby Sorsdal.

"Kudos to Graham, he's played all over. He started training camp at center, right guard, left guard," Jackson explained. "He's playing his tail off, and I think he might be playing some of the best ball in the room. So big props to him, Yode (Kayode Awosika), Colby (Sorsdal), those guys are balling. It just goes to show the standard we hold ourselves to in that room, and the next man up mentality is huge." 

Entering the 2023 season, the Lions' starting offensive line hadn't played as much as a single snap as a full unit through its two seasons together. Eight games into 2023, the group has played only the season opener as a collective unit. 

"We're finally back. The band's back together, and it's time to put on a show," Jackson said. "Simple as it is." 

Even without Jackson, Ragnow and Halapoulivaati Vaitai at times, the Lions' run game has still managed to produce at a high level. The standard has been set high within Hank Fraley's position group, and the unit offers no excuse for not meeting it regardless of who is available. 

Even without two starters in the Lions' last game against the Raiders, Jahmyr Gibbs managed to rush for 152 yards behind Awosika and Sorsdal. Additionally, the front has done a superb job of keeping quarterback Jared Goff upright.

With Jackson set to come back, he plans to continue helping Gibbs and David Montgomery drive the offensive production. 

"We just hold ourselves to a very high standard," the offensive guard stated. "Hank (Fraley), Ben (Johnson), Dan (Campbell), they lean on us. We put it on our shoulders, and when it's on our shoulders, we've got to show up."