NEWSLETTER
There is always some angst when the first injury report of the week hits.
But everything is a bit more amplified when it’s Bears-Packers Week.
And yet, here I am trying to compose myself for the first injury report update post of the week:
#Bears Wednesday injury report: pic.twitter.com/y5Uc0Px3l1
— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) October 13, 2021
Six Bears players didn’t practice on Wednesday. At first blush, it would be a cute for concern. But let’s sort through it.
Khalil Mack has been on the injury report for the better part of the last two years, and is coming off what might be his best performance with the Bears. Jimmy Graham often stats the week as a non-practicing resting veteran. Caleb Johnson might miss “a game or two,” per the Tribune’s Brad Biggs. So while his DNP stings, it doesn’t sound like it’s a long-term issue. J.P. Holtz didn’t practice last week due to the quad issue that has him starting the week as a DNP. All in all, it’s not wholly awful.
This leaves us with Allen Robinson II and Akiem Hicks as the two standouts on the list.
Hicks didn’t practice last Wednesday or Thursday, but was limited on Friday. The Bears didn’t announce Hicks wasn’t playing until Saturday upon leaving for Las Vegas. It’s possible Chicago is limiting Hicks’ practice reps in order to give him a fighter’s chance at playing on Sunday against Green Bay. Hicks’ motor runs hot for every game, but some of his best work has come against the Packers.
Robinson pops up as a non-participant due to an ankle issue. For what it’s worth, Robinson was in on 83 percent of the offensive snaps on Sunday. That isn’t can alarmingly number compared to his 82 percent snap share he is playing at through five games this season.
We’ll continue to watch the status of Hicks, Mack, Robinson, and everyone else on the injury report. Especially Justin Fields. You never want to see QB1 on the injury report, but Fields being a full participant despite rib/knee issues is a positive sign. Fields missed two plays after a knee hyperextension, and also took a hard hit to the ribs while trying to execute the spin move he said he was retiring in the preseason. No one will question Fields’ toughness. We saw the Clemson game and how he cooked that defense after taking a big hit. It’s just that Bears fans want a healthy quarterback entering the biggest game of the year (to this point). Then again, that full participation next to Fields’ name tells us he’s good to go.
