NEWSLETTER
Writing up injury report updates during the week has been kin to taking body blows from a champ. Then, when the list of inactive players rolls out, it is something like being dealt a knockout blow. Sure, we still got up from the mat. And the Bears still went on to play games, but watching this team at less-than-full-strength can be a drag.
Admittedly, they’re not all back just yet. But reinforcements are arriving for Sunday Night Football.
Quarterback Justin Fields is active. He will start at quarterback and make his second ever prime-time start at the NFL level. Joining him in the backfield is running back David Montgomery. The Bears’ leading rusher sat out Wednesday’s practice with glute, shoulder, and groin injuries. But positive developments came on Thursday and Friday of practice week, leading Montgomery to be given the green light to play on Sunday. Out wide, the return of Allen Robinson II is on the cusp of happening. Robinson hasn’t been able to suit up since Week 9 against the Steelers, when he was last seen making this catch on Monday Night Football:
Allen Robinson with the HUGE gain 🔥 #DaBears #MNF pic.twitter.com/yNYnSNVl3u
— LMBF Sports (@lmbfsports) November 9, 2021
Robinson came away from that game with a hamstring injury, and hasn’t played yet. Even though Robinson has struggled to find his groove, he is still a receiver coming off consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. That makes him a threat, especially if Fields is truly healthy.
Getting this trio back should help a Bears offense that just didn’t have much cooking while Andy Dalton was under center. With all due respect to Dalton, there’s something special about Fields’ potential. Let’s see if he can showcase it in front of a nationally televised audience.
As for who isn’t playing tonight:
Inactives for #CHIvsGB: pic.twitter.com/NlhAJD3tRw
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 12, 2021
*Heavy sigh*
It hurts thinking that Akiem Hicks won’t play in what might be the last Bears-Packers game in which he is a member of the Bears. Hicks eats, sleeps, breathes, and lives this rivalry. The energy he brings to game day isn’t easily replicated. Nor is his production, especially when healthy. Perhaps Hicks will be in a better and healthier place to give it a go next week.
We’ll have more for you in Pre-Gamin’ coming up!
