If you think the Detroit Lions are beat up, look at what their opponent Sunday, the Chicago Bears, is dealing with. Quarterback Jay Cutler is hurt. So is running back Jeremy Langford. Linebacker Danny Trevathan didn't play last week. Nose tackle Eddie Goldman didn't play either. And that doesn't even count the eight Bears on injured reserve.
So who is left for Detroit to have to deal with? Who will challenge the Lions? NFL Nation Chicago Bears reporter Jeff Dickerson offers this scouting report on players to watch for the Bears.
Offense
QB Brian Hoyer: Cutler's replacement in Week 3, Hoyer played a respectable game against the Cowboys, completing 30 of 49 pass attempts for 317 yards and two touchdowns. At 30 years old, Hoyer is what he is. Hoyer is a well-liked professional who is competent enough to run the offense. The key question, however, is Cutler's availability for the Lions game. Cutler wants to play, but the ligament damage and bruising in his right thumb makes gripping and controlling the football a challenge. Stay tuned.
RB Jordan Howard: Howard's role on offense should increase, especially after Langford suffered an ankle in injury in Chicago's 31-17 loss to Dallas. A fifth-round pick out of Indiana, Howard is a tough, physical runner who proved he can also catch. Howard ran the ball nine times for 45 yards and had four receptions for 47 yards versus the Cowboys.
WR Alshon Jeffery: Jeffery is the Bears' most dangerous weapon. He is a tough cover. Jeffery, who has remained relatively healthy, has 14 receptions for a team-high 271 yards through three games. The Bears' best play is still a jump ball to Jeffery, who often wins that battle.
Defense
S Adrian Amos: Amos had a huge hit on Cole Beasley on Sunday night. After a frustrating offseason (shoulder surgery) Amos finally turned the corner and made a couple nice plays at AT&T Stadium. In an injury-ravaged Chicago secondary, Amos is expected to keep the unit afloat along with veteran cornerback Tracy Porter. Amos is former fifth-round pick who, at times, looks like a steal.
ILB Jerrell Freeman: Freeman led the Bears in tackles again with 12 stops in Week 3. He is a solid player. Freeman is not the flashiest guy but might be the best pure tackler on the roster. The Bears will look to Freeman to provide even more on-field leadership versus the Lions now that fellow inside linebacker Trevathan is out indefinitely following surgery to reattach a ligament in his thumb.
OLB Leonard Floyd: The ninth overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, Floyd played a lot against the Cowboys. He is generally around the football but, outside of a half-sack in Week 1, Floyd has not made a ton of impact plays. The Bears are desperate for a pass-rusher to emerge. That person should be Floyd, who the Bears traded up two spots to grab out of Georgia. Expect Floyd to play a high number of snaps in Week 4 at Soldier Field.