Thomas Brown will be making his head coaching debut for the Chicago Bears on Sunday when the Bears travel to San Francisco for a Week 14 game against the 49ers.
Lost in the news of the Bears firing Matt Eberflus last Friday while promoting Brown was the fact that the team did not provide injury updates following their loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. In the first injury report for Week 14, the Bears' offense might be in trouble.
#Bears Wednesday Injury Report pic.twitter.com/NoU540hw5S
— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) December 4, 2024
If you're keeping track at home, that is four offensive starters for the Bears who did not practice on Wednesday. In addition, short-yardage running back Roschon Johnson is in concussion protocol after suffering a concussion against the Lions. As of this writing, it would seem that Johnson will be unable to play against the 49ers.
The Bears made a signing to their practice squad on Tuesday that would suggest they were preparing for the availability of Swift and Johnson to be in question this week. The Bears added former Cleveland Browns' running back Demetric Felton to their running back. In addition to Felton, the Bears have Travis Homer on their active roster. Homer seemingly opened the season as the Bears' third-down running back under former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
Allen has been playing through an ankle/heel injury since the start of the season. If the veteran wide receiver is able to return to practice on Thursday, he likely will be on track to play against the 49ers. The same can be said for DJ Moore, who is battling a groin injury.
The depth of the Bears' offensive line could also be in trouble given the injuries to Ryan Bates, Darnell Wright, and Coleman Shelton.
All in all, it's not a great setup for Brown's coaching debut. If there is a silver lining, it's that the 49ers are dealing with several notable injuries as well.