We already knew the Chicago Bears would play it as cautiously with Khalil Mack as they did last week, but some new names have sprung up on this week’s injury report:
#Bears Wednesday Injury Report:
DNP: Braunecker (concussion), Long (foot), Mack (ankle), Robinson II (groin)
Limited: Gabriel (knee), Kush (neck), Nichols (knee)— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) October 31, 2018
Wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (knee), guard Eric Kush (neck), and defensive lineman Bilal Nichols (knee) were limited in Wednesday’s practice. For Kush, this is an upgrade after not practicing at the end of last week and being inactive in Week 8 against the Jets. If Kush can get on the practice field in any capacity this week, he would become the favorite to start at right guard for Kyle Long, who didn’t practice (and won’t for a while). Larry Mayer of the Bears’ official website reports Head Coach Matt Nagy considers Long “week-to-week” as the team continues to gather information regarding a potential timeline for his return.
As for Gabriel and Nichols, their names are new to the injury report. Nichols earned his first career start last Sunday and played 37 percent of the snaps, which is 17.7 percent fewer than he played in Week 7 against the Patriots. Gabriel also saw his playing time scaled back last week, appearing on 66.7 percent of the offensive snaps against the Jets after playing on 78 percent against the Patriots. How much of each player’s step back in snap share has to do with their injuries is uncertain, but we’ll have to wait until Nagy clarify each player’s injury situation when he addresses the media on Thursday.
Tight end Ben Braunecker is also new to the injury report. Braunecker left Sunday’s game early due to a concussion and has entered the league’s concussion protocol. If he cant play on Sunday, Daniel Brown is the next man up at the position. Brown already filled in what was left behind from Braunecker’s special teams snaps, but the team could promote fullback Michael Burton or cornerback Marcus Cooper Sr. to the active roster to take some of those snaps if necessary.
One situation that doesn’t seem to need clarification is that of wide receiver Allen Robinson, who did not practice as he continues to nurse a groin injury. The Bears seem content to follow the blueprint set up last week when Robinson (like Mack) did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and was limited on Friday. In the end, the hope remains that the Bears’ big-picture focus on two of their highest-profile players allows for healthier bodies for the long haul.