As the Chicago Bears prepare for their most important game to date this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, they might be without one of their defensive leaders.
Akiem Hicks, a dominant force on Chicago’s defensive line, left last Monday’s game against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter with a knee injury.
While Matt Nagy didn’t believe it was anything other than “wear and tear,” he did call Hicks a game-time decision for Sunday.
But OLB Khalil Mack said that, if Hicks can’t go, this Bears defense will “step up and ball” in his place.
“It’s a challenge,” Mack said, via the Sun-Times. “Guys gotta be able to accept the challenge and set the standard.”
One of the challenges the Bears will face Sunday is RB Dalvin Cook and the Vikings’ run game, which is one of the best in the league. Cook leads the league in rushing with 375 yards, and he’s amassed three straight 100-yard rushing games to start the season.
Simply put, the Bears are going to need all hands on deck against Cook and the Vikings’ run game.
“When you got a team that like to run the football it affects the whole game,” Mack said. “It affects the game plan, it affects the mindset of the game, just going into the game you know it’s going to be a physical battle.
“Pop your Advils and get ready. It’s going down.”
The Bears promoted DL Jonathan Harris from the practice squad to the active roster on Saturday, which isn’t exactly a good sign for Hicks’ availability.
The Bears are already down DL Bilal Nichols, who has a broken hand. If Hicks can’t go either, it’ll be a blow for the Bears’ defense.
“I call him ‘Mufasa,’” Mack said, in reference to the Lion King, “He’s down there doing the dirty work, taking two guys, talking about four hands on him the whole game. Yeah, he does a lot for this team. He’s an impactful guy not only on the field but off the field as well.”
