Why isn’t Jonah Jackson playing for the Lions against the 49ers in the NFC Championship game?

The Detroit Lions confirmed that two players will miss Sunday’s NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers. Jonah Jackson was already ruled out so his omission wasn’t much of a surprise. The 26-year-old left guard suffered a small tear to the meniscus in his knee during the first half of the Divisional Round 31-23 win over the Buccaneers last Sunday and underwent keyhole surgery the following day. He remains in the treatment room for now but it is expected that he will be back to full fitness in a couple of weeks which means he will be available for the Super Bowl if the Lions advance. His place goes to Kayode Awosika, who replaced him in the Bucs game.

Raymond out

The Lions will also be without wide receiver Kalif Raymond on Sunday. He has missed all of the team’s three playoff games in this series with a knee injury. Donovan Peoples-Jones is expected to deputize once again.

Elsewhere, quarterback Hendon Hooker (tooth extraction) and cornerback Chase Lucas (illness) are both listed as questionable and no injury status has been given for five players: Sam LaPorta (knee), Josh Reynolds (ribs), Frank Ragnow (ankle and knee), James Houston (ankle) and Alex Anzalone (shoulder and ribs) - none of who will feature against San Francisco.

The game between the Lions and the 49ers will be played on Sunday 28 January, at Levi’s stadium with kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT.