The arrow is pointing up regarding the progress of pass-rusher Robert Quinn.
Quinn missed Week 1 of the 2020 season with an ankle injury suffered in a practice that happened between the Bears’ Soldier Field scrimmage and the practice that occurred before the first injury report of the year dropped last Wednesday.
Three practices passed without Quinn participating due to the ankle issue. And while his status for this week is still to be determined, it sounds like Quinn has a better chance to play in Week 2 than he did in Week 1:
Matt Nagy says OLB Robert Quinn will likely be limited this week in practice. #Bears
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) September 16, 2020
Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy told reporters that Quinn would likely be limited to start this week’s round of practice. A limited designation is an upgrade from the DNP Quinn received last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. To be clear, it doesn’t mean Quinn is a cinch to play against the Giants. However, it is a sign that the premier pass-rusher is moving in the right direction.
Chicago signed Quinn in March to provide an upgrade from Leonard Floyd in the quarterback-sacking department. Quinn collected 11.5 sacks with the Cowboys last season and has four seasons with at least 10 sacks under his belt. So while he hasn’t made a Pro Bowl appearance since 2014, Quinn’s track record brought hope that he could be the missing link to the front seven of a top-10 defense. Unfortunately, the Bears can’t reach that potential until Quinn rests foot on the playing surface. And in order for that to happen, he’ll have to show he can get on the practice field first.
The week’s first injury report will be shared later this afternoon. We’ll dive into it as soon as it is made available.