The Bears’ defense was dealt a major blow on the injury front, when Akiem Hicks went down in Week 5 against the Raiders. Now, the unit must learn to play without one of its top defenders to stay afloat in a tough NFC North.
Here is the latest:
#Bears roster moves:
We have placed DT Akiem Hicks on IR.
We also have signed OL Alex Bars from the practice squad to the active roster and have signed LB Fadol Brown to the practice squad.— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) October 15, 2019
Nothing harshens a buzz that comes with a clean slate after a week off like putting starters on injured reserve on back-to-back days as the team returns from the bye week.
The Bears announced defensive lineman Akiem Hicks is headed to IR. In a corresponding move to fill Hicks’ spot on the active roster, the team promoted undrafted rookie offensive lineman Alex Bars from the practice squad. And to fill Bars’ spot on the practice squad, the team signed Fadol Brown (who was among the group of players who participated in Monday’s tryouts at Halas Hall). Everybody keeping pace with the roster-related musical chairs? Good.
To be clear, all hope is not lost with Hicks sliding to IR. There is a possibility Hicks could be designated to return from injured reserve after eight weeks, which would put him in line to be back on the field in Week 15 when the Bears travel to face the Packers in Green Bay. I imagine Head Coach Matt Nagy will provide some clarity regarding that possibility when he addresses the media on Wednesday.
But still … moving Hicks to injured reserve confirms the severity of his injury as something that would keep him out for an extended period of time. That is a bummer. Then again, the news isn’t a surprise if you consider the waves of defensive linemen who visited Halas Hall for a tryout on Monday. At least Bilal Nichols appears to be making his way back into the lineup sooner, rather than later.