The Detroit Lions have climbed out of the NFC’s basement the last few years and a big part of that process has been trimming the fat. Brad Holmes’s arrival in 2021 transformed the Lions into perennial contenders and it required letting a lot of the old guard find new homes.
For everything that has gone right, Lions fans still have an interest in where those former players have landed. One Lion that spent plenty time on the sidelines is attempting to have a fresh start with his new team, but has already wound up back on the injured list as training camp continues.
Former Lions Guard Jonah Jackson is Injured Again During Bears Training Camp
According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, Chicago Bears guard Jonah Jackson has suffered a leg injury during training camp and is day-to-day. Jackson was acquired by the Bears in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams this offseason, but this development follows his reputation of being prone to health issues.
Rich Bisaccia believes Bo Melton will be an "elite" special teams play, impressed with what he's doing as he transitions to cornerback: "16, green man. He's still Bo Melton. He's fast. He's still got a smile on his face."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) July 30, 2025
Seems to bode well for his shot at a 53 spot.
Jackson was a solid player when on the field for the Lions. A third-round pick out of Ohio State, Jackson posted a grade of 57.0 in his rookie season and made the Pro Bowl with a 69.3 overall grade in his sophomore season according to Pro Football Focus.
But while Jackson was serviceable, keeping him on the field was a challenge. He missed four games due to a neck injury and a concussion during the 2022 season and missed five games with a high ankle sprain and a wrist injury in 2023. After tearing his meniscus in the 2023 NFC Championship Game, Jackson signed a three-year, $51 million contract with the Rams but a fractured scapula limited him to four games and was traded to the Bears this offseason.
Jackson restructured his contract as part of the trade, making it a three-year, $44.5 million deal. Yet the Bears are still paying a lot for an injury-prone player as part of their offensive line overhaul. Chicago also gave Joe Thuney a two-year, $35 million contract extension after acquiring him in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs and signed former Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42 million contract.
The Lions have their own issues to sort out but they don’t have to worry about Jared Goff getting sacked 68 times like Caleb Williams did in his rookie season with the dominant Penei Sewell leading stellar play in the trenches.