It has been a week of unknowns for the Chicago Bears, with injuries —whether on their own team or from the Baltimore Ravens —before the two teams faced off in Week 8.
The Bears took some massive hits from their final injury report, with five players being listed as out for the game, including two cornerbacks, Tyrique Stevenson (shoulder) and Kyler Gordon (groin/calf). They will also be without tight end Cole Kmet, Roschon Johnson (back), and left tackle Braxton Jones (knee).
Baltimore has had its own injury issues all season, which has led to its 1-5 start. The biggest one, though, was to their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson, who is dealing with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of two games. Jackson had practiced most of the week and was initially listed as questionable after being a full participant in the final workout.
That's when NFL insider Ian Rapoport made all hell break loose with his report that Jackson only ran with the scout team. Shortly after that report, the Ravens oddly changed their tone with Jackson's status for the final practice now being "limited" and out for the game. The NFL is currently investigating the incident.
Bears' game plan doesn't change at all against Baltimore
Tyler Huntley takes over as the starting quarterback for the Ravens against the Bears, which doesn't entirely change their game plan. Earlier in the week, Bears head coach Ben Johnson said they were preparing as if Jackson were playing.
Good news for the Bears is that Huntley plays the same style that Jackson does. Both are mobile quarterbacks who can use their legs to make plays happen.
The only key difference is that the Ravens will lean on the running game a lot more, which means plenty of RPOs will be run with Huntley and running back Derrick Henry. Baltimore will want to give the ball to Henry more often in this game.
Chicago has been exceptional at creating turnovers with 15 in the last four games and an NFL-high 16 on the season. The Bears' defense could be feasting on interceptions of Huntley, who isn't as accurate a passer from inside the pocket as Jackson is.
Read more: Is Cole Kmet playing today? Full injury update for Bears TE in Week 8
Watch for Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to come up with some disguises in his play calling to confuse Huntley in passing situations. If they play their cards right, it could be a long day for Huntley and an even better day for Chicago.