Lions will avoid facing Khalil Mack on Thanksgiving Day

The Lions offense is getting a break on Thanksgiving Day, as the Bears will not have pass rusher extraordinaire Khalil Mack available.

Coming of facing two formidable AFC North pass rushes in the Steelers and Browns, the Detroit Lions’ offensive line (even with Taylor Decker back) was going to face another challenge in the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day. But on Friday, the Bears placed edge rusher Khalil Mack on IR and he will have season-ending foot surgery.

Mack missed the two games before Chicago’s Week 10 bye, so his injury apparently was not getting better with rest and his season is over. He had six sacks in the seven games he played this season, including one sack along with a fumble recovery against the Lions back in Week 4.

The Lions have actually contained Mack pretty well since he came to the Bears. In seven games against Detroit over the last three-plus seasons, he has totaled three sacks and six quarterback hits. That’s a testament to Decker holding his own against Mack at left tackle, and the ability of Matthew Stafford to get the ball out of his hands before Mack was able to bear down on him.

The Bears may be without more than Khalil Mack vs. Lions on Thanksgiving

Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson is having a very disappointing season (30 catches for 339 yards and one touchdown). He’s also banged up heading into Chicago’s game this weekend against the Baltimore Ravens, listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury, which automatically puts his status for Thanksgiving Day in doubt on a short week.

So the Bears may land in Detroit for the Thanksgiving Day game without two of their best players, one on each side of the ball. That will make getting a win far easier for the Lions, to the say the least.