The Chicago Bears’ injury report revealed some good and bad news regarding the health status of several key players heading into Saturday’s contest against the Detroit Lions.
We’ll start with the good news that wide receiver Kendall Wright (shoulder) and outside linebacker/edge defender Pernell McPhee were full participants in Thursday’s practice and will play on Saturday. Wright had his best game with the Bears last week, as he secured 10 catches and gained 107 receiving yards, while McPhee returns to the lineup after sitting out Week 14 altogether.
On the other hand, tight end Adam Shaheen – who popped up on the injury report with a chest injury earlier in the week – is questionable to play against the Lions. Shaheen is joined in being listed as questionable after being limited in Thursday’s practice by nose tackle Eddie Goldman (hip), as well as safeties Adrian Amos (hamstring) and DeAndre Houston-Carson (ankle).
Amos earned Pro Football Focus’ second-best grade among safeties before suffering a hamstring injury against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12. Prior to the injury, Amos was in the midst of a breakout season in which he improved on his pass defense to go along with his already steady tackling and presence in stopping the run.
Goldman was part of a defensive line that was a sturdy and dependable first line of defense that featured Pro Bowl candidate Akiem Hicks and run-stuffing defensive end Mitch Unrein. With Unrein out for the year, it’s possible if Hicks will enter Week 15 without two of his top linemates for the second straight week.
Houston-Carson has played sparingly in 2017 and has been more of a contributor on special teams (131 plays) than on defense (16).
The Lions are playing to hang on to their slim postseason chances, but a healthy Bears team could throw those plans for a loop if they can re-capture the magic of their Week 14 against a Bengals team that was hanging on to its postseason hopes by a thread.