NEWSLETTER
The first Chicago Bears Injury Report of 2021 is OUT.
And, unfortunately, it features a bunch of familiar names. Let’s discuss after the jump:
#Bears Wednesday Injury Report: pic.twitter.com/ElzSj50cuk
— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) September 8, 2021
Off the top, nose tackle Eddie Goldman shows up on the injury report as not participating in Wednesday’s practice. The designation comes because of a knee/ankle injury for the nose tackle. If you’ll recall, Goldman didn’t play at all in 2020 while sitting out due to concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. But he did play 10 snaps in the preseason finale on Aug. 28. It’s uncertain when the injury took place and what the timetable for Goldman’s return will be. But the injury and his not practicing suggests Goldman’s status for Sunday’s opener against the Rams is in doubt.
No wonder the Bears brought in two defensive linemen onto their practice squad.
Practicing With Limitations
Star pass-rusher Khalil Mack (groin) was among the players with a limited participant designation. Joining Mack as practicing, but with limitations, were fellow pass-rusher Robert Quinn (back), receiver Darnell Mooney (back), and reserve linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe.
Seeing Mack, Quinn, and Mooney with limitations is what stands out most here. We’re talking about three starters, after all. And when it comes to Mack and Quinn, it’s that they are the two high-profile pass-rushers in a game where Matthew Stafford could drop back to pass early and often. At least the Bears have a rotation of pass-rushers to chip in with timely contributions. Free agent Jeremiah Attaochu and rising second-year player Trevis Gipson could play a larger role than we might have otherwise thought coming into Week 1. Unfortunately, the depth at receiver isn’t what the pass-rushers is at this time. We’ll monitor what Matt Nagy says about Mooney tomorrow.
Full Participants
Starting safety Eddie Jackson (wrist) and long-snapper Patrick Scales (ankle) were among those with previously undisclosed injuries who were practicing at full strength today. It is obviously good to see Jackson at full speed, but let’s not overlook the importance of Scales being healthy. If Chicago’s long-snapper can’t give it a go, starting tight end Cole Kmet is next in line for those duties.
Others practicing in full were Deon Bush (shoulder), Xavier Crawford (groin), J.P. Holtz (quad), Khyiris Tonga (ankle), and Damien Williams (full).
We’ll update tomorrow after Nagy speaks to the media and when the second report drops in the afternoon.
