My mind is in a musical place today. This morning, I was thinking of the BTNH classic “Crossroads” while writing as I was pondering the Bears’ future. And now, this afternoon, “End of the Road” is on the brain as I cook up the final injury report of the 2021 season.
They say all good things come to an end. But when it comes to injury reports with a laundry list of updates, I say good riddance and don’t let the door smash you on the backside on your way out:
#Bears Friday injury report: pic.twitter.com/Nac0mpoWTu
— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) January 7, 2022
And with that, it turns out Akiem Hicks’ last game with the Bears might’ve been last Sunday’s 29-3 win against the Giants. Hicks, 32, has been with the Bears since signing as a free agent in 2016. His first three seasons in Chicago were straight-up baller. Hicks didn’t miss a game in his first three years, put up with 23 sacks, 38 tackles-for-loss, 53 quarterback hits, 5 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, a whole bunch of splash plays along the way, and a trip to the 2018 Pro Bowl. Unfortunately, Hicks hasn’t come through with a full season’s worth of games in three years since.
No matter what the future holds, Hicks will long be remembered as a popular player on one of its best teams of recent lore.
As for the rest of the injury report, a trio of Bears are questionable for Sunday against the Vikings. Robert Quinn headlines the group. One week after setting the franchise’s single-season sack mark, Quinn might sit this upcoming game out with a shoulder issue. Nose tackle Eddie Goldman’s finger has him as questionable (despite a full week of practice participation). Cornerback Duke Shelley (heel) also goes down as questionable to play.
It could be a day for the vets at US Bank Stadium. QB Andy Dalton and TE Jimmy Graham were both full participants in practice. Both will play in what figures to be their last games with the Bears.