It’s not enough to write that the Chicago Bears simply can’t catch a break on the injury front.
Nope. Not when the injury report features six players who didn’t practice, three who practiced with limitations, has offensive linemen in COVID-19 protocol, and could be without both backup quarterbacks. The Bears resemble a M.A.S.H. unit right now. And the latest injury update is a blow for those who wanted to see rookie Cole Kmet take on an expanded role.
Kmet joined the injury report because of a groin injury. He wasn’t on Wednesday’s injury report, so to see him as “DNP” a day later is concerning.
Kmet has played just 33 percent of the Bears’ offensive play, but saw his snap share grow to a season-high 43 percent in Week 8. And for the first time this year, Kmet out-snapped Demetrius Harris — doing so by a 30-5 margin. On the surface, Kmet gaining playing time should be considered a passing of the torch. But obviously, this groin injury could complicate matters.
As for the rest of the injury report, here it goes:
#Bears Thursday Injury Report
*Please note the Bears did not practice Thursday, injury reports are estimates. pic.twitter.com/96IjxQsugH— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) November 5, 2020
Jimmy Graham, Akiem Hicks, and Danny Trevathan went from not practicing to full participation on Thursday. And it’s worth noting the Bears upgraded Anthony Miller and Eddie Jackson to limited after missing Wednesday’s practice. But Mitchell Trubisky, Cody Whitehair, Roy Robertson-Harris, Sam Mustipher, and John Jenkins missed a second consecutive practice.
It doesn’t look good for Trubisky, Whitehair, Mustipher, and Jenkins. Then again, you could’ve probably guessed that given the Bears’ pursuit of quarterback and lineman options, as well as its protecting of nose tackle Daniel McCullers from being poached from the practice squad.