NEWSLETTER
The battle between the Bears and Bucs might be won by whichever team comes out the healthiest.
Earlier, we found ourselves discussing the banged up bodies in Bucs camp. News that Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown, Lavonte David, and Richard Sherman won’t play is pretty notable. As is word out of Bears camp:
#Bears Friday injury report: pic.twitter.com/Jm5uS37eqZ
— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) October 22, 2021
As if the team wasn’t already dealing with enough health issues:
#Bears TE Jimmy Graham is Going on the Reserve/COVID-19 Listhttps://t.co/5CNA50wIEW
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) October 22, 2021
The Bears Won't Know RB Damien Williams' Availability Until Saturday (At the Earliest)https://t.co/98b5bUCiug
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) October 21, 2021
No Health Updates on Tarik Cohen or Teven Jenkins, Which is a Real Bummerhttps://t.co/ON5lfx9DZP
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) October 21, 2021
Anyway … safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. is OUT because of a hip injury. Head Coach Matt Nagy said the hip was an issue during Sunday’s loss to the Packers. It’s been a rough year for Gipson, who already spent time out of the lineup earlier in the year because of a hamstring problem. And while Gipson was practicing with limitations on Wednesday, missing back-to-back practices to end the week puts him on the sidelines. This leaves the Bears with Eddie Jackson, DeAndre Houston-Carson, Teez Tabor, and Marqui Christian as the team’s healthy safeties.
That sound you heard was probably Tom Brady licking his chops as he thinks about the deteriorating secondary depth.
While Gipson was the only Bears player ruled out on the injury report, seven others are questionable to suit up and play on Sunday. At top of mind are Khalil Mack (foot), Allen Robinson II (ankle), and Akiem Hicks (groin). All three were limited participants in Friday’s practice. If trends follow last week’s steps, then each of those three will give it a go against the Bucs.
On the more curious side of things are Bilal Nichols and Duke Shelley, both of whom have “questionable” designations. After not being on Wednesday’s injury report, Nichols didn’t practice on Thursday or Friday. Consecutive days of missing practice at the end of the week doesn’t bode well for the defensive lineman’s odds to play. As for Shelley, going from practicing with limitations to not doing so at all is a trend in the wrong direction. Chicago is already down two safeties with Gipson out and Deon Bush on IR. If Shelley isn’t a go, then Duke Shelley likely slides into a slot corner role.
At least the Bears were able to get full participation from Darnell Mooney (groin) and Khalil Herbert (shoulder). Having two of the most important offensive contributors healthy and available figures to be helpful. More later in the Game Preview.
