NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears’ first injury report since the bye week revealed six players missed Wednesday’s practice, including one of the key members of its resurgent defense.
Danny Trevathan, the team’s best inside linebacker, missed each of the team’s practices leading into the bye week – and now we know why. Head Coach John Fox told reporters at Halas Hall that Trevathan injured his calf in the team’s Week 8 loss against the New Orleans Saints. Trevathan played through the injury, participating on all 60 of the team’s defensive snaps.
But even though he was able to play through the injury, Fox says things worsened after the game. If you’ll recall, Fox declined to address the reason behind Trevathan’s absence, even though clarity would eventually be due through the team’s obligation to share any injury information. Unfortunately, the reason behind Trevathan missing practice is one that could impact the team negatively if he can’t play on Sunday.
Joining Trevathan among the non-participants are starting tight end Dion Sims (illness), ace slot cornerback Bryce Callahan (knee), special teams captain Sherrick McManis (hamstring), reserve lineman Tom Compton (ankle), and backup defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris (hamstring). McManis’ status will be worth keeping a close eye on this week, as he should be nearing a return to the field after being injured while covering a kick in the team’s win against the Baltimore Ravens. The Bears’ coverage teams haven’t been the same without McManis, who was believed to possibly be ready as early as Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers when the injury was first diagnosed.
Wide receiver Markus Wheaton (groin) and right guard Kyle Long (finger) were limited in Wednesday’s practice. Long was injured on the Bears’ first offensive drive against New Orleans and did not return after playing just six snaps. When addressing the media after the team’s loss to the Saints, Fox suggested Long could have played through the injury under different circumstances but decided to play a healthier player in his place.
Meanwhile, Wheaton showed up at practice on Monday, his first action since suffering the injury in practice after the team’s Week 5 loss against the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears could use any help at receiver, especially considering Deonte Thompson has produced more in three games since being cut by the team than all of the other Bears’ receivers combined in the last three weeks.
Center Hroniss Grasu (hand) and linebacker John Timu (ankle), who have been mainstays on the injury report for most of the season were full participants on Wednesday. As was starting center Cody Whitehair, whose injury in Week 8 against the Saints forced left guard Josh Sitton to play center.
