It is not a surprise that Bears quarterback Mitch Trubusky is listed as doubtful for Thursday’s game against the Lions.

As we said Tuesday, the short week does not help. But Trubisky likely would not be playing even if he had until Sunday to recover.

The typical pattern with this type of injury is that soreness increases as swelling sets in before improvement is seen.

With 11 days until the Bears play again after their Thanksgiving game in Detroit, Trubisky has a chance to miss just one game. But that is far from guaranteed.


Our initial post, at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday:

The Bears didn’t practice Monday coming off their Sunday night victory over the Vikings.

But since they are scheduled to play on Thanksgiving, they were required to issue an injury report as if there was practice, and quarterback Mitch Trubisky was listed as having not practiced due to a right shoulder injury.

The Bears put on a good face


“I’m staying cautiously optimistic, but I can’t make any promises,” head coach Matt Nagy said.

Trubisky was not available for a media session Tuesday, as he did not practice for a second straight day (in what amounts to a walk through practice on a short week), and it is now time for concern.

Nagy insists there is no long-term issue and no surgery on the horizon.

But after evaluating video of the injury it is clear there is reason to believe Trubisky won’t be playing a game in two days.


Here is the play where #MitchTrubisky injures his throwing shoulder. Full analysis coming shortly on https://t.co/dFDT8os6QG pic.twitter.com/Buu0ABGbZ3 — David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) November 20, 2018

Trubisky was hit late during a slide by Vikings safety Harrison Smith, drawing a flag. By video review, Trubisky was injured on the play – but not from the blow by Smith. That hit was on the left shoulder.

The dive/slide Trubisky made put his throwing shoulder in an outstretched vulnerable position, possibly leading to a stretching of the capsule/labrum or pinching/bruising of the rotator cuff.

Sure, the hit may have added force to the awkward position, but it was not the sole cause of the injury.


The Bears have the unusual turnaround of having played Sunday night game and then traveling Wednesday in advance of Thursday’s early game in Detroit. This timeline doesn’t help the situation.

This cannot be shrugged off as a minor AC joint sprain, which a quarterback can play through. I believe the Bears that there is no surgery required or major damage. But based on the video, I am pessimistic about his ability to play in this short week.

After he was hit, Trubisky went down on his back to gather himself. Running back Jordan Howard came over to reach out his right hand to help up his QB, but Trubisky clearly favored his right arm by reaching awkwardly out with his left hand for assistance.

He finished the game and threw only one more pass, which was a throwaway on a roll out while under pressure. But it could also be interpreted as an uncomfortable motion for his shoulder, causing a lackluster throw.


I’m not saying his season is in jeopardy. But with this fact pattern, Thursday against the Lions is doubtful.