Sixteen days after leaving the Vikings game with a hamstring injury, Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks returned to practice Thursday for the first time.
He was limited, but the activity was good sign for Hicks as he eyes a return Sunday against the Lions. He was sorely missed at Lambeau Field, where the Bears allowed 41 points in three quarters before the Packers took their feet off the gas.
“Obviously you never want to be missing anybody — you always want big ‘96’ out there,” defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano said Thursday morning. “We know what a great player and impactful player that he is. Again, it just falls on my shoulders and the rest of the guys’ shoulders to pick up the slack.”
The Bears’ biggest name on defense, though, remained out of practice. Outside linebacker Khalil Mack missed his second straight day with a back injury, though he figures to play Sunady.
“It’s more precautionary,” head coach Matt Nagy said. “I don’t think it’s anything that we’re real concerned about. You get into this part of the season and you want to make sure that you don’t overdo certain things, so that’s kind of where we’ve been at the last few days with him. But I feel confident that he’ll be able to go [Sunday].”
Quarterback Nick Foles practiced for the second straight day. After being limited Wednesday, he practiced in full Thursday. If he’s active against the Lions, Foles — who hurt his right hip in the same Vikings game — will serve as Mitch Trubisky’s backup.
Left tackle Charles Leno, who was a toe injury, practiced Thursday after sitting out Wednesday.
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