NFL Player News

The Lions have named Blough the starting quarterback for Thursday's game against the Bears.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported the news first, but the Lions have now made it official. Blough will be tabbed to fill in for Jeff Driskel, who did the same for Matthew Stafford (hip/back) in the team's previous three games before being limited by a hamstring injury this week. During preseason action with the Browns, Blough completed 58 percent of his passes for 271 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Lions are expected to start David Blough at quarterback Thursday versus the Bears, pushing Driskel (hamstring) down the depth chart, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Driskel's practice reps were limited this week due to a hamstring injury, which is enough of a lingering issue to force the Lions to turn to Blough. It's unclear if Driskel will be on the Lions' inactive list or suiting up as an emergency option, but Blough, an undrafted rookie, is on pace for his first NFL start.

Blough is expected to be the Lions' starting quarterback Thursday against the Bears, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

With no clear timeline in place for Matthew Stafford's (back) return and No. 2 option Jeff Driskel limited by a hamstring injury this week, the Lions will turn the offense over to the undrafted rookie from Purdue on Thanksgiving Day. It's unclear if Driskel will be inactive, or merely suit up as an emergency option, but Blough will be pressed into his first NFL action in front of a national audience. During the 2019 preseason, Blough completed 58 percent of his passes for 271 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Blough is the next man up on the depth chart at quarterback for Thursday's game against the Bears with Jeff Driskel (hamstring) listed as questionable and Matthew Stafford (back) ruled out for the contest.

The undrafted rookie out of Purdue hasn't taken any snaps during the regular season, but he could be pressed into the spotlight in a national game in the event Driskel isn't cleared to start Thanksgiving Day. Blough's only game action since entering the professional ranks came in two preseason appearances, with the 24-year-old completing 58 percent of his passes for 271 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Stafford (back) has been ruled out for Thursday's tilt against the Bears.

As expected, Stafford will sit out a fourth straight game after failing to practice at any point this week. The Lions have discussed shutting down the veteran signal-caller for the season as he contends with multiple fractures in his back, but the team has yet to make a final decision. With Jeff Driskel (hamstring) listed as questionable, Detroit could be forced to call upon No. 3 quarterback David Blough to start against the Bears on Thanksgiving Day.

Driskel (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Bears.

Driskel logged a trio of limited practice sessions this week while he tended to a hamstring injury coming out of Sunday's loss to the Redskins. His status for Thanksgiving Day looks like it may hinge on a pregame warmup, with final word on his availability (or lack thereof) set to come when Detroit releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 12:30 p.m. ET kickoff. With Matthew Stafford (back) already ruled out, the Lions would turn to undrafted rookie David Blough under center if Driskel is unable to play.

General manager John Elway said Allen and Drew Lock (thumb) both will get practice reps this week before the Broncos make a decision on their starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Allen's putrid outing in the Week 12 loss at Buffalo could inspire the Broncos to turn to Lock, who has been designated to return from injured reserve. The rookie wouldn't necessarily be an upgrade, but the Broncos probably want to see him get a few starts at some point before the conclusion of their dismal season. The decision for the Week 13 starter likely will be made Thursday or Friday.

Christion worked out with the Lions on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Lions will be seeking a short-term backup replacement at quarterback if both Matthew Stafford (back) and Jeff Driskel (hamstring) are unable to play on Thanksgiving Day, so the team worked out both Christion and fellow free agent Joe Callahan on Tuesday. Christion completed 11 of 17 passes for 142 yards and a score as a member of the Cowboys during their preseason finale, but the undrafted rookie has yet to appear on an active 53-man roster in the regular season.

Blough received reps with the first-team offense Tuesday, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

The Lions are preparing for all scenarios, one of them being without both Matthew Stafford (back) and Jeff Driskel (hamstring) on Thursday against the Bears. A decision on Driskel may come down to the wire Thursday as Lions-Bears kicks off at 12:30 p.m. ET. Blough's sole action as a pro occurred during the preseason, when he completed 58 percent of his passes for 271 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Driskel (hamstring) was a limited participant at Tuesday's walkthrough, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Driskel has a cap on his reps this week, the result of a hamstring that remains "pretty sore," coach Matt Patricia told Twentyman. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Patricia said the Lions are taking the QB's health "day by day." As a result, Driskel's listing on Wednesday's injury report could be telling for his Week 13 availability.