In a season where optimism was rewarded with 12 wins, an NFC North championship, and a playoff home game, maybe it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Chicago Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy has nothing but good vibes regarding the possible return of four injured starters.
Matt Nagy asked about Eddie Jackson, Aaron Lynch and Allen Robinson’s availability for the playoff game: “I’m hoping that they’re all ready to go.” Emphasizes that their injuries are at different “levels” and he’ll know more Wednesday.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) December 31, 2018
Wide receiver Allen Robinson (ribs) and safety Eddie Jackson (ankle) traveled with the team for the regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings, but did not suit up and play. Like Jackson, outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (elbow) missed his second straight game (but unlike Jackson, didn’t travel to Minnesota). The extent of these injuries vary, but we figure to have a clearer picture on Wednesday when practices resume.
The same can be said for receivers Anthony Miller and Taylor Gabriel, who played on Sunday but left early with injuries. Miller suffered a shoulder injury on the team’s first offensive possession and Gabriel came up with sore ribs when diving for a spectacular 40-yard reception. The team also pulled defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris early due to an injury, but Nagy shared a positive update as far as those injuries are concerned:
#Bears coach Matt Nagy said Anthony Miller's shoulder injury is "nothing significant." WR Taylor Gabriel has a ribs injury.#Bears DL Roy Robertson-Harris had a "little whiplash from enemy fire," but should be OK.
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) December 31, 2018
#Bears HC Matt Nagy on players injured yesterday (WRs Anthony Miller and Taylor Gabriel and DL Roy Robertson-Harris): "I feel pretty confident with where they're at."
— Larry Mayer (@LarryMayer) December 31, 2018
Tack on Kyle Long’s return from injured reserve and the Bears are as healthy as you would want a team to be entering the opening round of the playoffs. And even though Nagy declined to offer up specific injury updates on Monday, the general feeling is that there will be good news to be shared when everyone goes back to work on Wednesday.