Welp, so much for me looking forward to that Akiem Hicks-Aaron Rodgers Week 3 matchup.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Hicks tore the plantar fascia in his foot. The expectation is that he’ll miss a month due to the injury. I’m not sure how much a loaded Buccaneers defense will miss Hicks, but Tampa brought him in for a reason. And I imagine games like the ones TB will play against the Packers this week are at the top of a list of reasons as to why Hicks was an offseason target in the first place. All things considered, missing a month isn’t the worst-case scenario. But it’s still tough to see a popular ex-Bears standout get bitten by the injury bug again.
Injuries have held Hicks back in recent years. After a sturdy run for many years, Hicks missed 11 games in 2018 and eight more in 2021. There was a time when I was pitching Chicago’s football team to offer a modest extension Hicks’ way. Even with a new front office in place, there was a case to re-sign Hicks as a possible place-holder as the team replenished its roster. And after watching Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon run right through the heart of the Bears’ defense, it was easy to think about how a healthy Hicks could’ve been helpful. But seeing an early season injury pop up after seeing how much time Hicks missed in recent years serves as a reminder as to why the new regime might’ve been OK not bringing him back for another season.
Hicks was my favorite Bears defensive player to watch while he was in Chicago. However, I can’t help but wonder if age and injuries are catching up to the soon-to-be-33-year-old. We’ll see where he stands in a month or so. Hopefully, he’ll be healthy enough to show why the Bucs wanted him in the first place.