Lions coach confirms Jonah Jackson could make it back for Super Bowl

Allen Park — The Detroit Lions will be without Jonah Jackson this week, but there's hope the starting guard could be ready for the Super Bowl, if the team is able to beat the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship on Sunday.

Jackson exited the second quarter of Detroit's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was eventually ruled out because of a knee injury. An ESPN report stated Jackson had a partially torn meniscus and underwent surgery to repair the issue Monday morning, giving him a shot to play in the Super Bowl.

Lions coach Dan Campbell was cautious with that timeline when asked about the report in the afternoon.

"It's hard to say," Campbell said. "I think the timeline could be there. It's just a matter of how fast this thing heals and what it feels like. But I think there's a possibility, but we'll see."

Although every injury is different, and every body recovers at its own pace, Jackson's teammate Frank Ragnow was able to return to action after missing one game following meniscus surgery this season.

On Sunday, Jackson was replaced by Kayode Awosika. He's also in line to start against the 49ers after making five starts for the Lions the past two seasons, including three this year. He's one of several backups along the team's offensive line who have seen action as the team has worked through multiple injuries with that group over the past two years.

"Yeah, (that experience has) been big for us," Campbell said. "We've had a number of those guys who have played for us and banked a lot of reps. There again, Yode (Awosika) gets to go in and he did some good things for us. But he's played though, he's played quite a bit for us. He played for us last season. Now, he goes into this game and he's going to be able to get — you're the starter, you're getting all the reps, you're preparing with the rest of those guys in there. That will be good for him."

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

@Justin_Rogers

NFC Championship

Lions at 49ers

▶ Kickoff: 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

▶ TV/radio: FOX/97.1

▶ Records: Detroit (12-5), San Francisco (12-5)

▶ Line: 49ers by 7

AFC Championship

Chiefs at Ravens

▶ Kickoff: 3 p.m., Sunday, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore

▶ TV/radio: CBS

▶ Records: Kansas City (11-6), Baltimore (13-4)

▶ Line: Ravens by 3 1/2