Lions, Bears Week 18 injury designations: Penei Sewell, Alim McNeill, Alex Anzalone OUT

Lions, Bears Week 18 injury designations: Penei Sewell, Alim McNeill, Alex Anzalone OUT
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The Detroit Lions (8-8) and Chicago Bears (11-5) have declared their injury designations ahead of their Week 18 matchup to close out the 2025-26 regular season. While the Bears are getting healthier, the Lions were forced to shut down four of their starters for this game.

Let’s take a look at the latest injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Note: Any changes from the last injury report will be bolded.

Ruled OUT

  • RT Penei Sewell (ankle)
  • IOL Trystan Colon (wrist)
  • DT Alim McNeill (abdomen)
  • LB Alex Anzalone (concussion)
  • SAF Thomas Harper (concussion)

Sewell was unable to practice this week, and coach Dan Campbell hinted at his Friday morning press conference that the All-Pro right tackle might not be available for the season finale:

“I don’t feel great about Sewell right now, but I’m always going to hold out hope. But as far as does it affect you not having him? Yeah, it does. I mean he’s a phenomenal player. He’s a phenomenal football player. Yet, we’ve got guys who are going to step in and do a good job for us. They’ve got a job to do, they’ll have a role and we expect them to hold up their end of the bargain.”

The Lions will most likely turn to veteran Dan Skipper to start at right tackle against the Bears, with reserve Kayode Awosika available in an emergency third offensive tackle role. Giovanni Manu remains a long shot to play in Week 18.

Colon has been dealing with a wrist injury for several weeks now, and while he looked like he was making positive progress in recent games, he was unable to practice this week and will not play in Week 18.

McNeill’s injury popped up ahead of Week 17, then he appeared to reaggravate his abdomen during the game, left early, and hasn’t practiced since. With him ruled out, look for first-round pick Tyleik Williams to see an increased role and quite likely get the start.

Anzalone and Harper were not able to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol, and both have been ruled out. With Anzalone in a contract year, it’s fair to speculate if he has played his last game as a Lion. Harper remains under contract next season.

Questionable

  • WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee/ankle)
  • LT Taylor Decker (shoulder/illness/rest)
  • OT Giovanni Manu (knee) — Days remaining in injury evaluation clock: 5
  • LG Christian Mahogany (illness)
  • OL Kayode Awosika (illness)

St. Brown wants to play in Week 18, and according to Campbell, things are “trending the right way.” Campbell did leave the door open to possibly holding the start wide receiver out of the finale, but for now, he looks on track to finish out the season in Chicago.

Decker saw two limited practices this week—which is more than most weeks—and appears to be heading towards another start at left tackle.

Manu progressed through his injury evaluation window, and...