Lions Preparing to ‘Adjust on the Fly’ Against Bears
The Detroit Lions's final stretch of the season is unique.
They're set to play Chicago for the second time in four weeks and will later take on Minnesota twice in three weeks. As a result, the Lions are conducting typical scouting procedures with the added advantage of having played the team recently.
However, Chicago is coming off a bye week. The Bears hold an advantage because of this, as the week off allows teams to evaluate their tendencies and find ways to improve in a way that a typical game week would not allow.
As a result, the Lions are anticipating some surprises in their Week 14 matchup.
"I'll tell you what, same for them, for Chicago, there's a lot of things that haven't changed from the first time we played them. There's some situations that didn't even come up in our game or (their game against) Minnesota," Campbell explained. "You feel like you've already kind of seen what that is. Now, they're coming off a bye. They're like what we are, they see their own issues, like here's some things we have to correct. We're assuming, we know what they want to be and we know how they go and where they're very efficient and they're dangerous. They're not gonna go away from that, but some of these areas where they feel like they can be better, there's a little unknown here. There is gonna be some unknown that we're gonna have to adjust on the fly."
Injury updates
The Lions were without linebacker Alex Anzalone in Week 13 against the New Orleans Saints.
The defensive captain had a filled week, as he was recovering from surgery to repair a thumb injury while celebrating the birth of his second child. Heading into the Lions' Week 14 matchup with Chicago, though, Anzalone could be back in the mix.
He's currently working with a screw inserted in his thumb to stabilize the injury and dealing with a custom brace. However, Dan Campbell said Friday the team doesn't anticipate any limitations being placed on the defensive captain.
"No. We feel good about it. I asked him, I don't see any deficiencies, he's got it protected," Campbell stated. "I see him using it, so I feel like he's in a good place. Doesn't mean that, it's there. But he's not letting it affect him."
Frank Ragnow suffered a knee injury against the New Orleans Saints Sunday and hasn't practiced this week. He is not expected to play against the Bears.
"I don't see him going. I don't see him going," Campbell said. "But he is improving, he's getting better. But yeah, I don't see him going."
Notes
The Lions signed cornerback Kindle Vildor from the practice squad to the active roster this week. Campbell said the team anticipates the veteran cornerback playing a role in Sunday's game.
"He's a smart, crafty guy," Campbell stated. "He's got cover skills. So, look, it's an opportunity to get up, let him compete a little bit and see where it goes."
