While the Chicago Bears will be without defensive tackle Akiem Hicks for a significant period of time, it looks like they’re regaining another valuable piece on that defensive line.
Defensive end Bilal Nichols returned to practice Monday for the first time since he broke his hand against the Denver Broncos in Week 2, and it’s likely that he’ll be ready to play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
Bears coach Matt Nagy never feared Nichols would be placed on injured reserve, and he said that upon his return he’d be playing with a club similar to what outside linebacker Leonard Floyd did a season ago.
On Monday, Nagy said that Nichols will be playing with a cast that allows the use of his fingers. So Nichols consulted Floyd about what it’s like playing with a cast.
“It’s a little different feeling,” Nichols said Monday. “Really the biggest thing to me is just getting used to it. Everything’s going good, though, so I’m happy to be moving in the right direction.”
Nichols impressed as a rookie with three sacks, five tackles for loss and seven quarterback hits, which helped him play his way into a starting role on the defensive line this season.
The Bears, who have depth on the defensive line in Nick Williams and Roy Robertson-Harris, will surely benefit from the return of Nichols to the starting lineup as they prepare to face a Saints team that’s rolling at 5-1, without starting quarterback Drew Brees.
