NEW ORLEANS – For just the third time in 12 games this season the Detroit Lions will have their best five offensive linemen available when they take on the Saints in New Orleans today.
After missing the last two games with a wrist injury and being listed as questionable on Friday's injury report, starting left guard Jonah Jackson is active. Jackson sat out Detroit's last two games against Chicago and Green Bay due to the injury. His return means Detroit will have their best five linemen upfront – Taylor Decker, Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow and Penei Sewell – playing together against a Saints' defense that ranks eighth in points allowed, 12th in total defense and seventh in pass defense.
On the defensive side of the ball, Lions fans will get to see the debut of veteran edge rusher Bruce Irvin in a Lions uniform. Irvin was elevated from the practice squad to the active list on Saturday.
View photos from the Detroit Lions' trip to New Orleans for their Week 13 game against the Saints.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton (1) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (21) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs (23) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman John Cominsky (79) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Charles Harris (53) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris (25) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (98) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82) and Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) travel to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (59) and Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) travel to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Anthony Pittman (57) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (24) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Riley Patterson (36) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Romeo Okwara (95) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) travels to New Orleans on December 2, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Irvin has 55.5 career sacks over 11 seasons with five different teams. He made 10 starts and appeared in 11 games with 3.5 sacks last year for Seattle. The Lions have allowed him a couple weeks to get into football shape, something Irvin said this week he really appreciated. Now he's ready to help a Detroit pass rush that has just 23 sacks on the season, which is tied for 26th in the NFL. The Lions' pass rush win rate of 36 percent ranks 28th.
"A lot," Irvin said this week when asked how much he thinks he can help Detroit's pass rush. "I don't want to (make any predictions) but I think I can contribute quite a bit."
The Lions already ruled out veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone because of a hand injury and he did not travel to New Orleans. That means Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez and others in that room will have to step up today. Anzalone leads the team in tackles and is their best cover linebacker. With him out rookie linebacker Trevor Nowaske out of Saginaw Valley State is active for the first time this season.
Joining Anzalone on Detroit's inactive list today are defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs, defensive lineman Brodric Martin, defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike, linebacker Julian Okwara, wide receiver Antoine Green and cornerback Steven Gilmore.
