On Nov. 16, defensive end Jared Allen played one of his best games of the season against his former team when the Bears beat the Minnesota Vikings. On Thursday, defensive end Willie Young will get a chance to do the same when the Bears visit the Detroit Lions.
Young, a seventh-round draft pick out of North Carolina State in 2010, had six sacks in four seasons with the Lions. He has eight in 11 games with the Bears, including seven in his first six games.
Young, who signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Bears in March, said he’s looking forward to getting a shot at Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford after practicing against him for four years.
‘‘You practice against a guy all week, day after day, [but] obviously quarterbacks are untouchable,’’ Young said. ‘‘I don’t have to worry about that stuff on Thursday.
‘‘There will be a lot of flying around and teeing off on guys and guys taking shots. This is a big game for both of us. They’re trying to keep their hopes alive, sitting at 7-4 right now. We’ve got to play them twice. I’m excited about going back to Detroit. I know a lot of the guys. It’ll be a very interesting game.’’
The Lions rank third in the NFL in total defense. Young said he hasn’t been able to watch his former team much this season, but he still keeps in touch with second-year end Ziggy Ansah, whom he mentored last season.
‘‘I feel like he’s one of my kids,’’ said Young, 28. ‘‘I know, with a young guy, sometimes things can get kind of tough. So I kind of check on him every now and then.’’
Briggs out a few weeks
Linebacker Lance Briggs (groin) said during the “Lance Briggs Show” late Tuesday on Comcast SportsNet that his injury will keep him out a few weeks.
The playing status of cornerback Kyle Fuller (knee), meanwhile, will likely will be a game-day decision, coach Marc Trestman said.
Briggs and Fuller were among seven players who wouldn’t have taken part had the Bears practiced Tuesday. The others are defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratiff (knee), guard Brian de la Puente (ankle), defensive end Trevor Scott (knee), linebacker Darryl Sharpton (hamstring) and wide receiver Chris Williams (hamstring).
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall (ankle) and safety Brock Vereen (shoulder) would have been limited in practice, according to the Bears’ injury report.
Fuller on Fuller
If Fuller plays against the Lions, he would be facing his brother, wide receiver Corey Fuller, who has 13 receptions for 191 yards and a touchdown this season.
‘‘We just started preparation, watching film and trying to figure out what I can figure out,’’ Lions wide receiver Golden Tate said. ‘‘But, yeah, Corey’s chimed in a few times about some of the tendencies his brother has.’’
Email: mpotash@suntimes.com
Twitter: @MarkPotash
