Bears QB Hoyer following plan, still failing in red zone

In response to questions about a passing attack that seems overly conservative, Chicago Bears fill-in quarterback Brian Hoyer has often repeated that he is throwing the ball where his progressions take him and where he's coached to go.

Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains confirmed as much.

"He's done a nice job distributing the ball," Loggains said. "He's done a nice job going through his progressions and taking what the defense is giving him."

The result is an offense that is No. 7 in yards with an average of 375 per game but just 31st in scoring.

Only the New York Jets average fewer points than the Bears' 16.8, which begs questions of whether Hoyer needs to be more aggressive.

"We want him to be as aggressive as he can in the timing of the play," Loggains said. "There are shot opportunities that are called, and we have to execute. Brian has done a nice job doing what he's coached to do."

Hoyer, whose 100.8 passer rating is seventh in the league, threw 2 touchdown passes in each of his first three starts before being blanked last week. None of his 189 passes have been intercepted.

"I'm not about taking chances, risking the football," Hoyer said. "The No. 1 priority is taking care of the football. Whenever you start to turn the football over - I learned the hard way in a playoff game last year - you don't give yourself a chance to win."

Last season with the Houston Texans, Hoyer was picked off four times in a 30-0 playoff loss to the Chiefs.

"Even as frustrated as we are trying to score touchdowns in the red area, you still don't want to take points off the board," Hoyer said. "It's just working hard at it and executing when it gets to game time."

The Bears have scored touchdowns on 9 of their 19 red-zone possessions, a 47.4 percent success rate. Only seven teams are worse.

Switching sides:

The Packers believed at the end of the preseason they could get along nicely without guard Josh Sitton, even though he made three Pro Bowls in Green Bay and played on their Super Bowl-winning 2010 team.

That's debatable, considering the Packers' 3-2 record and an offense that is 25th in total yards.

When the Packers waived Sitton, the Bears were thrilled to add a veteran presence to what was an offensive line in transition and devoid of quality depth.

Sitton started the first five games but is doubtful Thursday night with an ankle injury.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers knows what his team lost and the Bears gained with Sitton.

"We had a lot of great times together," Rodgers said. "The thing I always appreciated about Josh was his toughness. The guy played with some serious dings on his body for years and was always a warrior out there and playing through things.

"He's a really funny guy and always knew how to keep it light even at a moment of frustration. Josh was always quick with a joke or a funny anecdote.

"I always appreciated his attitude and how he put his body on the line. We had a lot of fun with Josh."

Extensive injury update:

Wide receiver Eddie Royal, who is second on the Bears with 338 receiving yards and tied for second with 29 receptions, has been ruled out for Thursday night with a toe injury.

Rookie cornerback Deiondre' Hall (ankle) is also out.

The Bears list quarterback Jay Cutler (thumb), guard Josh Sitton (ankle), nose tackle Eddie Goldman (ankle) and running back Jeremy Langford (ankle) as doubtful, although none of them are expected to play.

Questionable for the Bears are tight end Zach Miller (ribs), cornerbacks Tracy Porter (knee) and Bryce Callahan (hamstring), linebackers Jerrell Freeman (wrist), Sam Acho (ribs) and Leonard Floyd (calf) and running back Ka'Deem Carey (hamstring).

For the Packers, running backs Eddie Lacy (ankle) and James Starks (knee) both are out, leaving Knile Davis as their only healthy running back with NFL experience, and he was acquired in a trade with the Chiefs on Tuesday.

Also out are cornerbacks Damarious Randall (groin) and Quentin Rollins (groin), wide receiver Jared Abbrederis (groin), tight end Jared Cook (ankle) and safety Chris Banjo (hamstring). Wide receiver Davante Adams (concussion) is questionable.

• Follow Bob's Bears reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.