NEWSLETTER
Another day, another mixed bag when it comes to the injury report.
The best news to come from what is has become known as the bane of our existence is that Pro Bowl pass-rusher Robert Quinn was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. Quinn was unavailable for Wednesday’s practice due to a shoulder injury. Now that Quinn is practicing in full, I can joke about how he deserves a breather after shouldering the load in carrying this defense in 2021. Quinn, who set the team’s single-season sack record last Sunday, could add to that total in the finale against the Vikings.
Joining Quinn as being a full go on Thursday are nose tackle Eddie Goldman (finger), cornerback Duke Shelley (heel), and quarterback Andy Dalton (groin). The Bears didn’t list Dalton on Wednesday’s injury report, so it’ll be interesting to see if this groin issue is something that could be a hang-up tomorrow. And if that is how the cookie crumbles, then maybe we’ll get another shot at seeing Nick Foles under center. After all, Foles knows how to beat the Vikings in their own building.
Check out the box score in the link above. All these years later, I still can’t believe the Vikings let Foles go 26-33, for 352 yards, 3 TDs, and a 141.4 passer rating on their own home turf with a chance to go to the Super Bowl that was being played in their own building. That’s gotta sting.
On the other end of the injury spectrum, some news that’s a bummer.
Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks didn’t practice for a second consecutive day. Hicks has an ankle issue that has been pestering him for some time now. For what it’s worth, Hicks did suit up, start, and play in last Sunday’s win against the Giants. I suppose it is possible Hicks is getting veteran rest days and could play in the season finale against the Vikings while on a pitch count. However, Hicks will have to practice in some capacity on Friday for me to believe that possibility is a realistic one.
If Hicks’ injury status isn’t the biggest downer of the injury report, then news of Jakeem Grant Sr. going on IR might take the cake. The Pro Bowl return ace has been playing and practicing with limitations due to a few dings in recent weeks. And, perhaps with that in mind, the Bears are shutting down Grant for the finale.
Here’s the injury report in full:
#Bears Thursday injury report/roster moves:
We have placed WR Jakeem Grant Sr. on IR and have signed LB John Daka to the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/XicT37TM1g— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) January 6, 2022
Oh, and Justin Fields (Reserve/COVID-19 list) didn’t practice either.
Just wonderful.
At least there is just one more game on the schedule.
