The Chicago Bears released their final injury report ahead of Thursday night’s primetime game against the New England Patriots. And it brought welcome news that not many people saw coming based on how things were trending earlier in the week.

First off, Bears right guard Jonah Jackson will play against the Patriots. Jackson left last week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons early with a hip flexor injury. It was expected to be a week-to-week issue, and a short week did not bode well for his chances of turning around in time for Thursday night.

However, Jackson toughed through the injury, returning to practice as a limited participant on Tuesday. He then ramped up to a full participant during the walk-through practice Wednesday and finished the week without an injury designation.

Jonah Jackson’s return is massive for the Bears’ run game

Getting Jackson back is huge news for this offense. Jackson has played at a Pro Bowl level, if not an All-Pro level, through the first six games.

The right side of the offensive line is the powerhouse of Ben Johnson’s offense. Jackson at right guard and Darnell Wright at right tackle form arguably the best guard-tackle combination on one side of an offensive line in football. It’s easy to see why the Bears lead the NFL in rushing yards per game (160.7) through the first six weeks, and Jackson has been a big reason for it as a stalwart on that right side.

The situation did not seem to be headed in this direction after last week’s game. And yet, Chicago gets one of its most important blockers back for a matchup that comes with very little time to prepare.

No Kyle Monangai, however, is notable for the run game

Chicago will officially be without two players on Thursday night. Running back Kyle Monangai will miss his third straight week with a turf toe injury. His absence wasn’t a surprise given the short week, but losing him for three weeks is a tough blow for the run game.

Fortunately, the Bears have been confident in what Roschon Johnson has brought in that role in Monangai’s absence. Johnson posted a career-high 51 rushing yards on 13 carries last week. He has also given the backfield an added benefit by helping keep D’Andre Swift fresh without Monangai available.

That remains the biggest priority for the Bears right now. Making sure Swift is available for all 17 games matters more than anything else in this backfield, so expect a heavy dose of Swift and Johnson again this week. The Bears will most likely elevate running back Zamir Scott for the third straight game with Monangai out to add special teams value and depth at the position.

The other player ruled out after Wednesday’s practice is linebacker Jack Sanborn, who suffered a concussion and missed the entire week of practice. That takes away another depth piece at a position already dealing with some uncertainty.

T.J. Edwards and Tyrique Stevenson will be players to watch going into Thursday night

Veteran linebacker T.J. Edwards, who missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury, returned to practice as a limited participant on Wednesday. However, he is officially listed as doubtful against New England.

Getting Edwards back would be key for this defense. That being said, the Bears do have depth at linebacker with Devin Bush, D’Marco Jackson, and Noah Sewell. Rookie linebacker Keyshaun Elliott also ramped back up this week as a full participant and is off the injury report after missing last week’s game with a quadriceps injury.

Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson is the other name to watch. Stevenson missed last week’s game with a hip injury, but then practiced in full all week long. Yet, he is officially listed as questionable, and with the short week, it remains to be seen whether Chicago rushes him back into action against the Patriots.

Overall, the Bears came away from this injury report with more good news than bad. Having Jackson available on the right side of the offensive line is massive going into Thursday night and we’ll have to see what happens with Edwards and Stevenson.