Bears Receiver Eddie Royal Out Against Packers
By Chris Emma--
(CBS) The Bears offense will be missing a key player Thursday night, and the defense has health in jeopardy.
Receiver Eddie Royal has been ruled out the game in Green Bay with a toe injury. On the other side of the ball, cornerbacks Tracy Porter and Bryce Callahan are both questionable to play against the Packers, though both practiced in a limited role Wednesday.
Royal suffered the toe injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the Jaguars. He had been held out of practice the previous two weeks with a calf injury. However, this different injury will keep him from playing.
Last season, Royal missed seven games with several different injuries. He had played in the first six games of this season.
Cornerback health is a concern for the Bears, with Porter and Callahan both in question to play. Porter suffered his knee injury on the Jaguars' go-ahead 51-yard touchdown pass, in which he slipped on the Solider Field sod. Callahan has been mending the hamstring in recent weeks, leaving Sunday's game with the ailment.
The Bears have listed quarterback Jay Cutler and guard Josh Sitton as doubtful for the game, as expected. Cutler has practiced just once since suffering the thumb sprain in Week 2. Sitton was injured on the Bears' final drive Sunday and may miss several weeks with the ankle injury. He was cut by the Packers prior to Week 1 and signed with the Bears a day later.
Brian Hoyer is in line to start at quarterback for a fifth straight week. Either Eric Kush or Ted Larsen will start at left guard for Sitton.
Rookie cornerback Deiondre' Hall has been ruled out with an ankle injury, which he suffered prior to the Bears' contest a couple weeks ago against the Colts. He has yet to practice since, though coach John Fox said surgery isn't likely.
The Bears' questionables also include linebacker Sam Acho, running back Ka'Deem Carey, linebacker Leonard Floyd, linebacker Jerrell Freeman and tight end Zach Miller. Defensive lineman Eddie Goldman and running back Jeremy Langford were listed as doubtful once again.
The Packers have ruled out running backs Eddie Lacy and James Starks for Thursday's contest, meaning Knile Davis -- acquired on Tuesday from the Chiefs -- will get the majority of carries.
Kickoff between the Bears and Packers comes on Thursday at 7:25 p.m. CT from Lambeau Field.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
