The injury bug has struck the Detroit Lions quarterback position again, forcing third-stringer David Blough to start Thursday's traditional Thanksgiving Day game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field.
A hamstring injured sustained by Jeff Driskel in last week's loss to the Redskins was deemed too severe for him to make his fourth straight start after taking over for Matthew Stafford.
Stafford has missed the last three games with back and hip injuries.
The Lions issued the following statement Wednesday evening on the status of the quarterbacks:
"David Blough will start at quarterback for Thursday's game vs. Chicago. Jeff Driskel will serve as the backup quarterback."
View photos of Detroit Lions season ticket members picking up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers and meeting the Lions Legend Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Detroit Lions season ticket members pick up Barry Sanders' Nike Turf Jet sneakers Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at the Stadium Collection in Detroit.
Driskel was limited in practice this week and was originally listed as "questionable" on the final injury report submitted to the NFL Wednesday afternoon.
Head coach Matt Patricia said in his Tuesday press conference that Blough had taken reps with the No. 1 offense in the short practice week. That is the standard practice plan for the backup, Patricia added.
Blough played 43 games, with 36 starts, in four seasons at Purdue (2015-18), which has a history of sending quarterbacks to the NFL. Among its quarterback alums is future Hall of Famer Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints.
Blough threw 64 career touchdown passes against 41 interceptions at Purdue. He went undrafted in 2019 and was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent.
The Browns traded Blough to the Lions at the end of the preseason.
