Lions head coach Dan Campbell wouldn't commit to Boyle being the team's starting quarterback if Jared Goff (reserve/COVID-19 list) isn't available this Sunday in Atlanta, perhaps suggesting David Blough could be an option as well, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Goff was placed on the list Monday and still has a chance to return in time for Sunday's game if he's asymptomatic of the virus. If not, the Lions will turn to Boyle or Blough, likely waiting until later in the week to name a starter. Boyle was brutal in his one start this year, throwing for 77 yards with two interceptions in a 13-10 loss to the Browns in Week 11.

Boyle is active as the backup quarterback for Thursday's contest against the Bears behind starter Jared Goff (oblique), who is set to start in his return from a one-game absence, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Goff was one of the NFL's least productive starting quarterbacks through the first 10 weeks of the season, he still performed far better than Boyle, who returned from injured reserve last week and picked up his first NFL start while Goff was sidelined with the oblique injury. In Detroit's 13-10 loss to the Browns, Boyle completed 15 of 23 attempts for 77 yards (3.3 YPA), no touchdowns and two interceptions, with most of the Lions' offensive production on the day coming via the ground game from D'Andre Swift (14 carries for 136 yards and a touchdown). Boyle's rough outing wasn't enough for him to lose out on the No. 2 job behind Goff, who is slated to start despite likely being less than 100 percent. Instead, David Blough -- who backed up Boyle last week -- will be on the inactive list Thanksgiving Day as the Lions' No. 3 signal-caller.

Boyle completed 15 of 23 passes for 77 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in Sunday's 13-10 loss to the Browns.

EDGE Analysis

Boyle made his first career NFL start after entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He had attempted only four passes prior to Sunday's game, but he was called upon with Jared Goff (oblique) sidelined. Boyle wasn't asked to do much, as he took to the air only 23 times. He threw two interceptions, one of which came deep in Browns territory. The positive news is that he peppered T.J. Hockenson with eight targets and D'Andre Swift with four, so the stars of the team still saw plenty of opportunity. Boyle is likely to get another start in Week 12 against the Bears, though his performance shouldn't be projected to markedly improve.

Boyle (thumb), who is making his first career NFL start Sunday in Cleveland, could remain under center for the Lions' Thanksgiving Day game against the Bears with top quarterback Jared Goff (oblique) uncertain to be available, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Goff is inactive after failing to practice in any capacity this week, allowing Boyle to take all the first-team reps in workouts Wednesday though Friday in preparation for the starting assignment. Not only will Boyle be making his first career start Sunday, but he'll also be making his Lions debut, as he had been on injured reserve since early September following thumb surgery before he was activated Friday. Though Boyle impressed enough in training camp to secure the No. 2 job behind Goff, he completed just 56.4 percent of his passes for a lowly 3.5 yards per attempt in the preseason. With that in mind, Boyle may need a respectable showing against the Browns to hold off backup David Blough for the starting nod next Thursday, in the event that Goff misses a second straight contest. According to Kyle Meinke of MLive.com, Goff was spotted Sunday doing some throwing during the Lions' warmups, so he'll still have a shot at playing Week 12 if he can demonstrate enough progress in his recovery from the oblique injury in the next few days.

Boyle will start Sunday against the Browns, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The report confirms something that's become increasingly apparent throughout the week, as Jared Goff didn't wind up practicing at all after hurting his oblique last week against the Steelers. Boyle was only just reinstated from injured reserve Friday after being sidelined all season following August thumb surgery but will head straight into his first NFL start. He's thrown four career passes as a professional after joining the Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

The Lions reinstated Boyle (thumb) from injured reserve Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The transaction officially restores Boyle to the active roster, while clearing the way for him to make his first career NFL start Sunday against the Browns with Jared Goff (oblique) listed as doubtful for the contest and not expected to be available. Through four pro seasons, Boyle has just four regular-season pass attempts to his name, and his inexperience, poor pass-catching personnel and matchup with a fearsome Cleveland pass rush all conspire to make him an untrustworthy fantasy option. Even against watered-down competition in the preseason, Boyle completed just 22 of 39 passes (56.4 percent) for 3.5 yards per attempt, one touchdown and no interceptions. He doesn't present any threat as a runner either.

The Lions are expected to activate Boyle (thumb) from injured reserve and have him start at quarterback in place of Jared Goff (oblique) in Sunday's game against the Browns, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Detroit has yet to officially rule Goff out for the game, but he looks to be trending toward his first absence of the season after he was listed as a non-participant in each of the team's three practices this week. Boyle, meanwhile, is working his way back from Aug. 30 thumb surgery, but he's been practicing for the past week and a half and took all the first-team reps Wednesday through Friday. Though he's in his fourth year in the professional ranks, Boyle has yet to make a regular-season start and has attempted only four passes for his career, all of which came with the Packers in 2019. Expectations should be extremely low for Boyle, who will be working with one of the league's worst group of pass catchers and could be without left tackle Taylor Decker (elbow) protecting his blind side against NFL sack leader Myles Garrett and the Cleveland defense. In more extensive action during the Lions' preseason slate, Boyle struggled mightily with 22 completions on 39 attempts (56.4 percent) for 135 yards (3.5 YPA), one touchdown and no interceptions.

Coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday that Boyle (thumb) will be the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart when he is activated from injured reserve, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Boyle underwent thumb surgery Aug. 30 and has been on injured reserve since the start of the regular season. He was designated to return ahead of Week 10, but he remained inactive, as David Blough operated as the backup to Jared Goff. However, Campbell's comments made it clear that the backup gig is Boyle's when he is officially added to the active roster, which could prove meaningful as Goff is currently battling an oblique injury.

Boyle (thumb) will be designated to return from injured reserve by the Lions on Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Boyle has been on injured reserve since the start of the regular season after he underwent thumb surgery Aug. 30. He'll have to be activated within 21 days to be eligible to return this season, but he could serve as Detroit's primary backup at quarterback once he's cleared to return to game action.

Boyle (thumb) recently attempted a few "very light throws" without a brace on his injured hand, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Considering Boyle ditched a hard cast for a soft one by late September, per Kory Woods of Woodward Sports Network, it appears Boyle is progressing well from late-August thumb surgery. In fact, it seems possible that he could return from injured reserve in the near future.