NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears have released their list of inactive players for Week 1, which unfortunately features a pair of starters who were expected to be important pieces to the puzzle:
#Bears inactives: Kyle Long, Prince Amukamara, Markus Wheaton, Mark Sanchez, Tre McBride, Taquan Mizzell & John Jenkins
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) September 10, 2017
Left guard Kyle Long had ankle surgery late last year, but it turns out the recovery process will take a little bit longer. Long was injured during the team’s Week 10 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2016, and the optimism that surrounded his return seemed to dwindle throughout the summer and the preseason. We discussed this a bit earlier today.
Long isn’t the only starter on the mend, with cornerback Prince Amukamara sitting out Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. It’s a tough blow for a Bears defense that needs all hands on deck in order to have a fighting chance at keeping wide receiver Julio Jones from running wild in the secondary. Amukamara injured his ankle on the first play from scrimmage during the Bears’ preseason Week 3 win against the Tennessee Titans, but hasn’t practiced since.
As expected, Markus Wheaton’s wait to get on the football field continues as he recovers from surgery to repair a broken pinkie finger.
Also on the inactive list is quarterback Mark Sanchez, which means starter Mike Glennon and rookie backup Mitch Trubisky are the only quarterbacks dressing for Sunday’s game.
Rounding out the group of inactives are a pair of newcomers in wide receiver Tre McBride and running back Taquan Mizzell, as well as defensive lineman John Jenkins.
