As the Detroit Lions gear up to host the Chicago Bears to begin the three-game Thanksgiving slate, they are getting some encouraging news as it relates to their quarterback situation. During his press conference Tuesday, head coach Dan Campbell relayed that Jared Goff has taken some positive strides that leave the door open for him to potentially start for Detroit on Thursday.
Goff missed Sunday’s loss to the Browns due to an oblique injury but has since been trending in the right direction.
“I thought he was better today,” Campbell said of Goff. “I think it’s leading [towards him starting]. We’ll see.”
Campbell then joked that there is “a 60% chance of it being 50-50” in terms of whether or not he’ll play. Part of the trepidation on the part of Campbell to start Goff on Thursday, he admitted, was the quarterback’s toughness and him possibly hiding how hurt he actually is just to get onto the field. While Campbell commends that trait, he also needs to look out for the player and do what’s best for the team to give it the highest chances of potentially earning its first win of the season.
“He’s tough,” Campbell said of Goff. “Honestly, that’s part of my concern because I know how tough he is and he tells you he’s being truthful, but I know how bad he wants to play. He’s been through a lot — played through a lot. I appreciate that about him, but I do want to make sure he’s definitely ready to go. And I do think it’s trending that way.”
With Goff out last week, Tim Boyle got the starting nod for Detroit and would in all likelihood get the call again if Goff is ultimately unable to go. Against Cleveland last week, Boyle did not have an outing to remember, completing 15 of his 23 passes for just 77 yards and two interceptions.
Meanwhile, Detroit’s opponent in the Chicago Bears are also dealing with some quarterback shakeups, as Andy Dalton will start Thursday as rookie sensation Justin Fields deals with a rib injury he suffered last week.
Latest Odds: Detroit Lions +3
