Lions QB David Blough Expected to Start for Injured Jeff Driskel Against Bears on Thanksgiving

As is tradition on Thanksgiving, the Detroit Lions will kick off the holiday proceedings. Unfortunately for Lions fans, neither Matthew Stafford or Jeff Driskel will be taking the field against the Chicago Bears.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Lions are expected to start third-stringer David Blough at quarterback on Thursday, as Driskel is still dealing with a hamstring injury.

QB David Blough is expected to start for the Lions on Thursday, per source. Jeff Driskel still recovering from the hamstring issue.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 28, 2019

Stafford is out indefinitely due to fractures in his back, which allowed head coach Matt Patricia to lean upon Driskel at starter. However, Driskel picked up a hamstring injury following Detroit's 19-16 loss to the Washington Redskins.

Considering the Lions had a very short week of preparation, the thought of Driskel playing seemed too improbable to occur. However, he is available to back up Blough on Thanksgiving afternoon in case things go sour.

Blough is an undrafted rookie out of Purdue, where he notably defeated the Dwayne Haskins-led Ohio State Buckeyes team last season. As a senior, Blough threw for 3,705 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions on a 66.0 completion percentage.

The #Lions are expected to start QB David Blough tomorrow against the #Bears, sources tell @StaceyDales and me. Jeff Driskel’s hamstring has hindered him greatly, though he’ll end up backing up. A major challenge for Detroit.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 28, 2019

Blough first signed with the Cleveland Browns but was traded to the Lions prior to the conclusion of training camp.

Now, the rookie gets his first start in the NFL against a Chicago Bears pass defense that has allowed just 218.8 yards through the air per game (ninth-best in league).

It's certainly no easy task for his first time on the job, and there's a chance the Bears' overwhelming defense makes it a long debut for the Purdue product, and a long holiday game for Lions fans.