DETROIT — The Bears are sizable underdogs on Thanksgiving against the Lions, but at least they’ll have virtually everyone available.
The only players ruled out due to injury were safety Elijah Hicks and offensive guard Ryan Bates. Hicks was starting in place of Jaquan Brisker, who is on injured reserve with a concussion.
Brisker has played just five games and isn’t eligible to return until the Week 15 game at the Vikings.
The Bears didn’t practice this week, opting instead for walk-throughs during a short turnaround after hosting the Vikings on Sunday. Wide receiver Keenan Allen (ankle), offensive guard Teven Jenkins (ankle), defensive end Montez Sweat (ankle) and others were not listed on their estimated injury reports and should be full-go.
The Bears have lost five in a row and are off to an 0-2 start in the NFC North. They have not won at Ford Field since Thanksgiving 2021.
Here are the Bears’ inactives:
OG Ryan Bates (concussion)
OL Kiran Amegadjie
WR Tyler Scott
DE Dominique Robinson
CB Ameer Speed
S Elijah Hicks (ankle)
Lions running back David Montgomery (shoulder) and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) are active.
The Bears’ offense has momentum after two weeks of progress under new coordinator Thomas Brown, but faces a Lions defense that ranks second in points allowed. The Lions’ running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery will test the Bears’ run defense.
After dominating the Lions for years, the Bears are 1-3 against them in the Matt Eberflus era.
After going into the bye week on a roll, the Bears have lost five straight, with a series of self-incriminating issues — discipline, technique, details and fundamentals. In Week 12 of Year 3, those are all issues that should be fully ingrained strengths of a team, not excuses.