By Sunday 
The NFC North just found its newest rivalry — not in touchdowns or trophies, but in treatment tables.
Injury Woes Hit Detroit Hard
Detroit Lions fans barely had time to exhale before getting punched in the gut again. Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed that rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold will miss significant time after a shoulder injury, adding yet another name to the Lions’ growing list of sidelined defenders.
If that sounds familiar, it’s because it is. The Lions already lost Ennis Rakestraw Jr. for the season, leaving their secondary dangerously thin. It’s the second straight year Detroit’s defense has been hammered by injuries — they ended last season with 13 defenders on injured reserve.
The hope, of course, is that things don’t spiral that far this time. But as the team tries to plug holes, fans can’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu.
Meanwhile in Chicago…
While Detroit is scrambling, the Chicago Bears have been quietly nursing their own collection of bruises. Their secondary has been a rotating door all season — Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon have missed most of the action, leaving the defense hanging on by duct tape and pure effort.
Yet somehow, they’ve managed to hold it together. Under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, Chicago’s secondary has punched above its weight, already grabbing seven interceptions this season.
Now, coming off their bye week, the Bears might actually be the healthier team — a rare twist in what’s shaping up to be a survival contest in the NFC North. Kyler Gordon and TJ Edwards could return for Monday Night Football against the Commanders, giving Chicago some much-needed reinforcements.
Same Boat, Different Mindsets
The Lions and Bears are officially in the same boat — battered, bruised, but not beaten. For Detroit, it’s about proving they can weather another injury wave and still contend. For Chicago, it’s about seizing the moment while their rivals limp.
Either way, it’s safe to say both fanbases are tired of seeing more medical updates than highlight reels.
But as the saying goes in football — next man up.