NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears emerged from the bye week less healthy than when they entered it, and the health concerns haven’t gotten any better since Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Wednesday’s injury report listed inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (calf), tight end Dion Sims (illness), and cornerback Bryce Callahan (knee) as players who did not practice. All three missed practice before the Packers game with the same injuries.
Trevathan’s absence might have been the most costly, seeing that Green Bay out-rushed Chicago en route to a 23-16 win. Then again, the defense also missed Callahan’s presence as a slot corner. However, Cre’von LeBlanc did pick up a sack of Brett Hundley on a well-timed and well-executed corner blitz.
As for Sims, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports his status is “day-to-day” according to the head coach. Sims has missed two weeks of practice due to an undisclosed illness, but is working out with the team and has been around Halas Hall despite not practicing.
How much the Bears missed Sims is up for interpretation because it allowed the team to give second-round pick Adam Shaheen an extended look with a season-high 31 snaps. Still, the rookie was out-snapped by fourth-stringer Daniel Brown and was an afterthought in the passing game after the team’s second offensive possession.
Right guard Kyle Long’s health status remains in uncertain and being listed as limited with a finger injury isn’t going to provide much clarity. Long played one special teams snap against the Packers because the coaching staff didn’t believe he was healthy enough to contribute a full day on the offensive line.
A new addition to the injury report was outside linebacker Sam Acho (shoulder). Acho has averaged 34 snaps per game since Week 5 and has out-snapped fellow edge defender Pernell McPhee 67-62 in the last two games.
Defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris and cornerback Sherrick McManis were both limited with hamstring injuries.
