NEWSLETTER
Two of the Chicago Bears’ more important players practiced in full on Saturday and are expected to play.
Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune tweets that right guard Kyle Long and cornerback Bryce Callahan practiced on Saturday and are listed as probable to play in Monday night’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. Long missed the team’s last two practices while nursing a sore ankle, while Callahan was limited with a knee injury. Callahan and Long were the only two starters listed on the injury report, so it is encouraging to see them on the right track to play on Monday Night Football.
Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy offered no signs of concern regarding Long’s injury on Thursday, but expect the Bears to keep a close eye on his ankle as the season goes along. Long is only two years removed from having it surgically repaired and the three-time Pro Bowl lineman is arguably the most important player on the offensive line. And even though Long has played through a significant number of injuries in the past, Chicago’s coaches and trainers would be wise to continue to buy Long as much rest as possible moving forward.
Callahan has dealt with a few injuries over the years, which have kept him from completing a full 16-game season during his NFL career. But when he is healthy and on the field, Callahan is one of football’s best nickel corners. The 26-year-old corner played on more than 90 percent of the defense’s snaps in Week 1, which is worth pointing out because more than 73 percent of Seattle’s plays in their season-opener were pass snaps. Expect Callahan to get another healthy dose of playing time once again in Week 2.
Technically, both Long and Callahan are “probable” to play in the Bears’ home opener on Monday Night Football. And once we see them on the field, we’ll probably have ourselves a nice little celebration (or, at minimum, a sigh of relief).
