The Chicago Bears have been dealing with backfield injuries for the last few weeks of the 2024 season, but it appears like things are turning around for them in time for their Week 16 matchup with the Detroit Lions, who top the division. For the first time since their first game against the Lions in Week 13, the Bears had running back Roschon Johnson back on the field as a full participant in practice. The 2023 fourth-round selection has missed the last two games as he works through NFL protocol after suffering a concussion during the team’s Thanksgiving Day loss to the Lions.
Additionally, starting running back D’Andre Swift was completely taken off the Bears’ injury report. Although Swift hasn’t missed a Bears game this season, he has missed four of six practices due to quadriceps (Week 14) and knee (Week 15) issues that he has been battling for the previous two weeks. He appears to be in good health at this time.
All participation is estimated for the injury report because the Bears only conducted a walkthrough on Wednesday. Nevertheless, the Bears’ decision to have both of their best running backs practice fully before their divisional game is a positive first step.
The Bears (4-11) will meet the Lions (12-1) at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on December 22.
A new issue has been added to Teven Jenkins’ injury report.
The Bears’ initial injury report on Wednesday included positive news for their backfield, but they also excluded left guard Teven Jenkins, one of their main offensive line starters, from the first practice against the Lions due to a fresh calf ailment. Jenkins, who has been one of the Bears’ most dependable interior lineman in a 2024 season marred by offensive line problems, finished as Pro Football Focus’ third-highest-graded player for the Bears in Week 15’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears may ask Doug Kramer Jr. to start in his place if they are unable to clear him in time for Sunday’s game.
The Bears may also use veteran Ryan Bates in place of Jenkins against the Vikings, but they won’t give him any serious consideration until he passes the NFL’s concussion protocol. Since joining the Bears in an offseason trade with Buffalo, Bates has only appeared in three games and 105 total snaps. Since suffering a concussion during the defeat to Green Bay on November 17, he has not practiced.
Braxton Jones, the Bears’ starting left tackle, did not practise at the start of the week either. Jones was ruled out of the team’s Monday Night Football game against the Vikings in Week 15 after he reported concussion symptoms to the team the day before the game. To play on Sunday, he must also pass the league’s concussion protocol.
If Jones is unable to play this week, either youngster Kiran Amegadjie, who had a horrific first career start against the Vikings, or veteran Jake Curhan will start.
Lions Have Crowded Injury Report for Week 16 at Bears
The Lions had a more busier injury report than the Bears for Wednesday’s first practice ahead of their Week 16 game, but the problems aren’t as serious as they appear. The Lions classified nine players as non-participants on their injury report for Wednesday’s first practice, but two-thirds of them sat out due to scheduled rest days. Safety Brian Branch (calf), left guard Graham Glasgow (knee), and running back David Montgomery (knee) were the only three players who did not practise due to injury.
Nevertheless, aside from ailments on the injury report, the Lions have had a very bad run of luck. They just lost cornerback Carlton Davis to a fractured jaw that will keep him out until late in the postseason, and standout defensive tackle Alim McNeill to a season-ending ACL rupture. Montgomery, who hurt his knee in the Bills’ loss in Week 15 but is still awaiting a third opinion on the extent of the damage, might also be lost.
Before submitting their final injury report for the game in Chicago in Week 16, both clubs will have two extra practices.