It was already easy to be on edge after Wednesday’s injury report had Khalil Mack, Allen Robinson II, and Akiem Hicks not practicing because of their various ailments. But things have since grown even more complicated, with running back Damien Williams testing positive for COVID-19 and going on the Reserve/COVID list.
And today’s injury update doesn’t bring much in terms of positive updates:
#Bears Thursday injury report: pic.twitter.com/wT5Cni9EzQ
— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) October 14, 2021
Sigh. Mack, Hicks, and Robinson remain on the DNP list for a second consecutive day. Mack is still dealing with a foot issue that came up in Week 3 in Cleveland. However, we should consider Mack’s absence from practice to be more of a maintenance thing. Hicks continues to sit on the sidelines due to the groin injury that happened on the first defensive snap of the team’s Week 4 win against Detroit. And Robinson’s ankle issue is still keeping him from practicing. Although, Robinson sitting out could possibly a Mack-like maintenance issue.
Two new names pop up on the injury report. Despite an ankle problem of his own, reserve running back Ryan Nall was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. But receiver/return specialist Jakeem Grant was practicing with limitations due to a groin injury. This is a new issue for Grant, who arrived in a trade last week. Grant wasn’t on Wednesday’s injury report, so seeing him pop up on Thursday’s update is a bit unsettling. Especially since the Bears are starting to run thin in terms of healthy returners. I imagine Head Coach Matt Nagy will touch on it when he addresses the media on Friday. And ideally, his words will come with a more encouraging update on injuries.