It bugged me when Eddie Goldman appeared on the Chicago Bears’ Wednesday injury report as having been a limited participant in practice because of an oblique injury. But after Head Coach Matt Nagy seemed to downplay the severity of the injury during Thursday’s press conference, my levels of concerns fell to normal levels.
And then Thursday’s injury report came out, putting my concern levels through the roof again:
#Bears Thursday Injury Report:
DNP: NT Eddie Goldman (oblique)
Limited: TE Trey Burton (groin)
Full: OL Rashaad Coward (elbow)— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) September 12, 2019
Goldman did not practice on Thursday, which is a troubling development.
One of the reasons Chicago’s rush defense is at the top of the charts is because of Goldman’s presence in the middle. The team’s top nose tackle clogs up running lanes and takes on multiple blockers, which frees up other defenders around him to make plays. Further, Goldman has developed into a serviceable pass-rusher, too. Last year, Goldman showed an extra ability to get some push up the field, collapse the pocket, cause havoc in the backfield, and even come away with some quarterback hits, sacks, and pressures. Without Goldman providing that dynamic in the middle of the Bears’ defense, the pressure will be on the others to generate what is missing.
But still … I’m not over how unbothered Nagy was about Goldman’s injury. Either the Bears head coach has an amazing poker face or perhaps he knows something the rest of us don’t regarding Goldman’s injured oblique. Expect Nagy to shed some more light on the issue during tomorrow’s press conference.
Elsewhere on the injury report, offensive lineman Rashaad Coward was listed as a full participant in practice for the second consecutive day. Coward has been on the recovery trail since suffering an elbow injury during the summer’s second preseason game. His return to the group of reserves brings the Bears’ line to full strength.
Nothing new in the world of tight end Trey Burton, who was listed as limited in Thursday’s practice. His status remains unchanged from yesterday.
We’ll continue to watch the injury report, especially regarding updates about Goldman’s injury, which could have a trickle-down effect on the defensive front lines if he can’t suit up against the Broncos.