The Bears head to Detroit to face the Lions in the first game of the Thanksgiving slate, and the game has taken on an added level of intrigue for who won't play as opposed to who will.
For the Bears, Mitchell Trubisky has been ruled doubtful after missing practice this week with a shoulder injury. He's all but certain to sit on a short week, meaning that Chase Daniel is set to make his first start since 2014 with the Chiefs. His quarterbacks coach on that team? Current Bears head coach Matt Nagy. Daniel should have some level of comfort in this offense, which has done wonders to unlock Trubisky's potential in his second season.
For the Lions, star rookie running back Kerryon Johnson (knee) and starting receiver Marvin Jones (knee) have both been ruled out. That's a pretty significant shakeup at two key positions with the best defense in the league coming to town. LeGarrette Blount has averaged just 2.3 yards on 78 carries, so it's possible we get a bigger dose of Zach Zenner than expected as the team tries to establish a ground game. With Jones out last week, Bruce Ellington (back, questionable) saw nine targets, catching six of them 52 yards. If he's active, he'll likely be a bigger part of the passing game than usual again.
The Trubisky news has caused the line to move toward the Lions, but who will actually win the game? You can watch it on CBS at 12:30 p.m. ET or stream the game on fuboTV (Try for free).
We'll break down the injuries you need to know about for all the Thursday games below before digging in to each team playing on Sunday's initial injury report for Week 12. Check back with us throughout the day as we react to all the injury news around the NFL.
Bears (-2.5) at Lions
- Bears: TE Adam Shaheen (concussion), LB Aaron Lynch (concussion) OUT; QB Mitchell Trubisky (shoulder) DOUBTFUL
- Lions: RB Kerryon Johnson (knee), WR Marvin Jones (knee) OUT; WR Bruce Ellington (back), TE Michael Roberts (shoulder), DE Ezekiel Ansah (shoulder), DT Damon Harrison (shoulder), DT A'Shawn Robinson (ankle), LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck), CB Darius Slay (knee) QUESTIONABLE
The big news in this matchup is that Chase Daniel will likely draw the start for the division-leading Bears on the road on a short week. You never want to lose your starting quarterback, but at least Daniel has years of experience working with Matt Nagy. You can read more about how the injury shakes up the Bears offense here.
The Lions have big injury concerns as well. The offense becomes less dynamic with no Johnson or Jones, as the team will have to lean on LeGarrette Blount, Zach Zenner and Theo Riddick to run the ball, while Ellington if he can play should see another high target workload. All seven players ruled questionable were limited all week, and the Lions could be severely shorthanded on the defensive line depending on how the inactive list shakes out.
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Redskins at Cowboys (-7)
- Redskins: RB Chris Thompson (rib) OUT; RB Samaje Perine (calf), WR Jamison Crowder (ankle), OT Trent Williams (thumb), C Tony Bergstrom (knee), CB Quinton Dunbar (shin) QUESTIONABLE
- Cowboys: WR Tavon Austin (groin), TE Geoff Swaim (wrist), C Adam Redmond (concussion), DT David Irving (ankle), LB Sean Lee (hamstring) OUT; OT Tyron Smith (neck), G Zack Martin (knee), G Connor Williams (knee), DE Taco Charlton (shoulder), DT Maliek Collins (knee) QUESTIONABLE
While Thompson remains out for the Redskins, the team isn't ready to rule out Crowder despite the receiver being listed as a DNP all week. If he can play, he gives Colt McCoy a reliable option in the passing game so that the replacement quarterback doesn't have to lock on to Jordan Reed. Williams was limited all week, and if he can play this week it would be a big boost to a beat up O-line. On that note, tackles Morgan Moses (knee) and Ty Nsekhe (ankle) are good to go.
The Cowboys are dealing with key injuries on both sides of the ball. Two starters are missing from the front seven, while Charlton and Collins were limited all week before being deemed questionable. The bigger issue could be on the other side of the ball, with Smith and Martin limited all week on the offensive line. The front seven has been a strength for Washington, so the loss of either Smith or Martin would be a big blow to the Cowboys' hopes of covering this number.
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Falcons at Saints (-13)
- Falcons: LB Deion Jones (foot) OUT
- Saints: OT Terron Armstead (pec) OUT; WR Tre'Quan Smith (foot), DE Marcus Davenport (toe) QUESTIONABLE
Jones was limited all week and didn't manage to make it back for this huge divisional game, so it appears his return will finally come next week. The rest of the players who were listed on the team's injury report heading into Wednesday, including Calvin Ridley (thigh), were upgraded to a full practice and are good to go.
The Saints will be without Armstead on the offensive line again, but the rest of the offensive linemen on the injury report all practiced in full on Wednesday and are good to go. Smith is coming off a massive performance against the Eagles, but he only managed one practice this week, getting in a limited session on Wednesday. Davenport was limited all week as he continues his recovery from a toe injury.
Initial injury reports
The Jaguars opened the week with five players missing practice, including Marcell Dareus (back) and Josh Walker (foot, ankle), the team's third left tackle of the season. Jalen Ramsey was also limited by a groin injury. Josh Allen (elbow) returned to a full practice coming out of the team's bye, so he appears on track to start for the Bills for the first time since Week 6. Charles Clay (hamstring) and Shaq Lawson (elbow) didn't practice, while Trent Murphy (knee) was limited.
Martavis Bryant remains sidelined for the Raiders, and he was one of just two players to miss the team's first practice of the week due to injury. Eight more were limited, including Doug Martin (ankle) and Jordy Nelson (knee). Four Ravens players didn't practice due to injury, most notably Joe Flacco (hip), as Lamar Jackson looks to be on track to get another start in this matchup. James Hurst (back) and Tavon Young (groin) also missed practice, while Tim Williams (ankle) was limited.
49ers at Buccaneers (-3.5)
The 49ers were missing Pierre Garcon (knee) and Joshua Garnett (thumb) from Wednesday's practice, while Reuben Foster (hamstring) and Weston Richburg (knee) were limited coming out of the bye. The Bucs have way more injury concerns, with five DNPs on Wednesday, including Lavonte David (knee) and four other defensive players. Four more players were limited, including DeSean Jackson (thumb).
The Giants have just one player on the injury report to start the week, with rotational end Kerry Wynn sitting out while recovering from a concussion. Eagles center Jason Kelce (elbow) practiced in full to start the week, which is great news, but Philadelphia is still dealing with massive issues in the secondary, as four corners didn't practice. Darren Sproles (hamstring) and Jordan Hicks (calf) were also DNPs.
The Browns don't have many players on the injury report coming out of their bye, and the only player to not practice at all is JC Tretter, who's dealing with an ankle issue. Tight end David Njoku remained limited with a knee injury. A.J. Green remained sidelined with a toe injury, but he has a shot of practicing later this week and returning to the lineup. Left tackle Cordy Glenn was also a DNP with a back issue, while corner Dre Kirkpatrick continued to miss practice with a shoulder injury.
Dwayne Allen (knee) was the only player to miss Patriots practice entirely, as Sony Michel (knee), Rob Gronkowski (ankle, back) and Shaq Mason (calf) were limited. Tom Brady was also listed as limited with a knee injury, but there's no indication he'll miss this game at this time. Sam Darnold (foot) didn't practice for the Jets to start the week, so it's possible we get another game with Josh McCown under center. Robby Anderson (ankle) also didn't practice, while Quincy Enunwa (ankle) was limited as well. The Jets did have 10 players on the injury report as practicing in full, so they appear to be getting healthier outside of the passing game.
Doug Baldwin (groin) was one of three Seahawks players missing from practice due to injury, with Dion Jordan (knee) and K.J. Wright (knee) also sidelined. Mike Davis (knee) was limited to begin the week as well. The Panthers were missing five players from practice due to injury on Wednesday, including Devin Funchess, who is dealing with a foot issue. But one of those players wasn't Torrey Smith (knee), who was limited to start the week and has a solid chance to return to action in this game. Cam Newton (shoulder) was also limited.
Ryan Tannehill (shoulder), Kenyan Drake (shoulder), DeVante Parker (shoulder) and Danny Amendola (hamstring) were among nine players limited on Wednesday, and Tannehill is on track to make his return this week after being sidelined since Week 5. The Colts got safety Malik Hooker back as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday while defensive lineman Margus Hunt practiced in full. Five Colts players didn't practice at all, including center Ryan Kelly (ankle).
The Cardinals were missing six players due to injury to start the week, including Budda Baker (knee) and Deone Bucannon (chest). Left tackle D.J. Humphries (knee) didn't practice either, but the rest of the offensive line appears to be good to go. As for the Chargers, Tyrell Williams (quad) was held out due to injury, while Austin Ekeler (neck) was limited to start the week. Pass rusher Joey Bosa (foot) managed a full practice, as did Melvin Gordon (hamstring) and Keenan Allen (finger).
Four Steelers missed practice due to injury, with tackle Marcus Gilbert (knee) and defensive end Stephon Tuitt (elbow) remaining sidelined. Brandon Marshall (knee) and Bradley Roby (concussion) missed Broncos practice to start the week, while rookie receiver DaeSean Hamilton (knee) was limited.
Seven Packers were held out of practice due to injury Wednesday, including Jimmy Graham (knee, thumb), Mike Daniels (foot), Nick Perry (knee) and three players in the secondary. Randall Cobb (hamstring) was limited, putting him on track to return for this huge game. Andrew Sendejo (groin) was among three Vikings to miss practice with injury, while Adam Thielen (calf, lower back) was again limited. He figures to be available to play in this matchup as the team is likely just limiting his reps. Anthony Barr (hamstring) returned to a full practice as well.
