When Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan suffered a gruesome elbow injury against the Lions on Nov. 10, everyone feared the worst.

After all, defensive lineman Akiem Hicks was placed on injured reserve for a similar injury, and his didn’t look as bad as Trevathan’s.

And yet, there’s hope that Trevathan, who wasn’t placed on IR, could return next week for a pivotal game against the Packers at Lambeau Field.

Bears coach Matt Nagy has been vague about Trevathan’s status after he suffered what appeared to be an elbow dislocation a month ago. But Nagy has left the door open for Trevathan’s return this season.

Trevathan hasn’t practiced since his injury, but Nagy wouldn’t rule out the possibility of him returning to practice this week.

‘‘I don’t know that for sure yet,’’ Nagy said.

Trevathan was playing some of his best football at the time of his injury. He had 70 tackles in nine games, second only to Roquan Smith’s 99 after 13 games.

While Trevathan’s absence has certainly been felt, veteran Nick Kwiatkoski has filled in solidly in his absence. Since taking over for Trevathan against the Lions in Week 10, Kwiatkoski has logged 37 tackles, one sack, three pass break-ups and one interception.

Both of Chicago’s starting inside linebackers are sidelined with injuries, as Smith suffered what’s feared to be a torn pectoral muscle in the first quarter against the Cowboys.

With Kwiatkoski filling in for Trevathan, Kevin Pierre-Louis has taken over for Smith, and he had a great game with five tackles, one tackle-for-loss, one quarterback hit and two pass break-ups

In other injury news, the Bears are still evaluating the statuses of receiver Javon Wims (knee) and Roy Robertson-Harris (foot). According to Ian Rapoport, Wims avoided a serious injury suffering a slight knee sprain at the end of the second quarter of Thursday’s game.