Updated Dec. 29, 2025, 10:26 p.m. ET
Allen Park — The Detroit Lions don’t have anything to play for in Sunday’s season finale against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
But you won’t be able to tell from their lineup.
After the Lions (8-8) were eliminated from the playoffs in a 23-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas, coach Dan Campbell said on Monday the team expects to play most of its starters, albeit with a few special exceptions for players battling injuries.
Campbell generally wants the team’s final game against Chicago to feel like a regular game. In other words, don’t expect there to be any tanking afoot. Entering Week 18, the Lions are set to have the 15th pick in the 2026 draft and a fourth-place schedule for the 2026 regular season.
“I think if it’s — we’re sitting there borderline, and the player, it could be hard (to play) or we think they’re setting themselves up for a long-term risk, then no, it’s not worth it,” Campbell said. “But if it’s the, stuff doesn’t feel good, it’s bumps and burises, then no, it’s like the next game up.”
The former group might include wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who left Thursday’s game against the Vikings in the final minute with an injury. St. Brown has been battling knee and ankle injuries down the stretch; Campbell said the knee injury was “part of” the reason he exited Thursday’s game, but doesn’t expect it to a long-term concern.
Campbell said St. Brown “wants to go” and is “day-to-day.”
Still, there are a few other positions worth keeping a close eye on entering the weekend. Left tackle Taylor Decker has battled a shoulder injury all season and right tackle Penei Sewell suffered a lower-body injury Thursday, which he powered through in order to finish the contest.
If the Lions are forced to play some of their backups, Campbell said younger players won’t be given priority over veterans.
“I think if guys can’t go because of injury, then the next guy up will go, young or old — or, young or veteran, I should say,” Campbell said. “Next best guy available.”
Chicago (11-5), which is experiencing a revitalization under former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, is still playing for playoff seeding. Chicago can no longer earn the 1 seed, but likely still fancies the 2 seed over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles play at 4:25 p.m. Sunday, meaning Chicago won’t know the result of that game until its own game is nearing its end.
nbianchi@detroitnews.com
@nolanbianchi