Following the injury to starting center Frank Ragnow on December 3, the Detroit Lions received a favorable initial prognosis. But they’re not out of the woods yet with Ragnow. The Lions should also consider adding depth to their offensive line. For these reasons, the NFL staff at Bleacher Report believes the Lions should pursue veteran guard Gabe Jackson in free agency.
“Ragnow suffered a leg injury in New Orleans, so the Lions slid Graham Glasgow to center and put rookie Colby Sorsdal in at guard,” the members of the Bleacher Report staff wrote. “With Halapoulivaati Vaitai already on injured reserve, it would be prudent to have a veteran on hand in case Ragnow is forced to miss more time.”
Jackson is in his tenth season in the NFL. He had started at least 11 games every year since 2014 prior to this season.
Jackson signed a five-year, $55 million contract with the Oakland Raiders in 2017.
Gabe Jackson’s Potential Fit With the Lions
Jackson has excelled at both run and pass blocking at various points in his career, according to Pro Football Focus player grades. However, Jackson’s PFF player grades over the last two seasons support the BR staff’s claim that he is better at run blocking.
Jackson has spent the last two seasons blocking for the Seattle Seahawks. In 2021, Seattle ranked 11th in rushing yards and 18th in 2022.
The Lions will almost certainly start Graham Glasgow at center and rookie Colby Sorsdal. Jackson also lacks experience at the position.
However, by signing Jackson, the Lions would gain another option at guard in addition to Sorsdal. Or, to put it another way, more depth in case another injury occurs.
The Lions could try to sign Jackson to their practice squad, as they did in November with 36-year-old defensive end Bruce Irvin. Irvin made his Lions debut in Week 13 and performed admirably, recording a sack.
Jackson started his NFL career as the 81st overall pick in the third round of the 2014 draft. He spent seven seasons with the Raiders before joining the Seahawks in 2021.
Jackson has begun
Frank Ragnow of the Lions is dealing with yet another injury.
Ragnow has spent nearly the entire 2023 season playing through pain. He was forced to leave the game in Week 13 due to a knee injury.
The injury prognosis was initially bleak, but head coach Dan Campbell provided a more upbeat update during his postgame press conference.
“At first, coming off, it was sounding like one thing, and then after the fact, it sounded like something maybe a little bit different,” Campbell told reporters following the game. “One was not as good, one sounds more positive.”
If Ragnow’s injury is deemed more serious, the need for Jackson will undoubtedly increase. The Lions are already without guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who is out with a back injury.
However, the Lions should consider signing Jackson anyway. Jackson could provide valuable depth to Detroit’s offensive line.
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