Patriots vs. Bears Preview & Injury Reports

Charlie Zschau Published: 1 hour ago

The Patriots roll into Chicago tonight for a date with the Bears on Thursday Night Football.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams returned from injury in fashion last week against the Atlanta Falcons, passing for 305 yards (30/36) and a touchdown. The former first overall pick suffered what looked like a scary injury in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings, but ended up with only a minor hamstring injury that kept him out for three games.

Ben Johnson has all of his offensive weapons healthy tonight, and NFL fans have seen what they can do when they're running on all cylinders. The Bears have accumulated the fifth most yards of total offense (388.3 yards per game) in the league through six games, even without their starting quarterback for half of them.

Williams will be back in action again tonight against the New England Patriots, who are very thin in their defensive secondary and the offensive line.

New England's defensive injuries could be a huge problem if both starting safeties, Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson, are not fit to play tonight. Starting cornerback Carlton Davis III is also out with a neck injury, and linebacker Cristian Ellis is questionable with a chest injury. Luckily for the Patriots, star cornerback Christian Gonzalez is healthy after missing two games earlier this season.

On the offensive line, the Patriots are down to their third-string guards on both sides, with Mike Onwenu, Ben Brown, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Greg Van Roten all out injured. Even with these injuries, the Patriots have won three straight games and the offensive line has blocked incredibly well for quarterback Drake Maye. 2026 first-round pick Caleb Lomu has been fantastic when called upon, allowing zero sacks, quarterback hits, or penalties in 159 offensive snaps so far in his young career.

Wide receivers Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins are also out for the Patriots, but A.J. Brown did return from his high-ankle injury last week against the New York Jets.

The Patriots do have the depth on their roster to sustain this amount of injuries, but any more could really hurt the team's chances of making it back to the NFL Playoffs this season.

Chicago Bears injured Players

Linebacker T.J. Edwards did not practice on Monday or Tuesday of this week, but was limited on Wednesday which means he is doubtful to play tonight for the Bears.

Running back Kyle Monongai did not practice this week, meaning Roschon Johnson will be the primary backup to D'Andre Swift for the second game in a row. Last week against the Falcons, Johnson had 13 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Questionable: Tyrique Stevenson Sr. (CB)

Doubtful: T.J. Edwards (LB)

Out: Kyle Monongai (RB), Jack Sanborn (LB)

Injured Reserve: Anthony Johnson Jr. (S), Coby Bryant (S), Dayo Odeyingbo (DE), Braxton Jones (OT), Dallis Flowers (CB), Hayden Large (TE), Ruben Hyppolite II (LB), Tony Fields II (LB), Brittain Brown (RB), Nephi Sewell (LB), Nikola Kalinic (TE)

New England Patriots Injured Players

Defensive tackle Joshua Farmer and offensive tackle Morgan Moses were both limited in practice this week, but Farmer has been removed from the injury report ahead of tonight's game. Moses is still listed as questionable.

A.J. Brown was limited in practice as well, but only as a precaution due to returning from a high-ankle sprain that kept him out for four weeks. Brown played his first full game for the Patriots last week against the Jets, catching only three of his 10 targets for 27 yards.

Questionable: Morgan Moses (OT), Christian Ellis (LB), Craig Woodson (S), Kevin Byard (S)

Out: Carlton Davis III (CB), Harold Landry III (LB), Alijah Vera-Tucker (G), Karon Prunty (CB), Ben Brown (C), Channing Canada (CB)

Injured Reserve: Romeo Doubs (WR), Mack Hollins (WR), Reggie Gilliam (FB), Marcus Bryant (OT), Mike Onwenu (G), Greg Van Roten (G), Dell Pettus (S), Quintayvious Hutchins (LB), Julian Hill (TE), Khalil Jacobs (LB), Myles Montgomery (RB), Bryce Baringer (P)