The Chicago Bears look like they’re going to be without one of their stars on the defensive line against the Minnesota Vikings today.
DT Akiem Hicks is not expected to play against the Vikings, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
Hicks, who suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter during Week 4’s match-up against the Washington Redskins, didn’t practice all week and was officially questionable against Minnesota.
He was declared a game-time decision, but when the Bears promoted DL Jonathan Harris from the practice squad on Saturday, it was an indication that Chicago wasn’t confident in Hicks’ availability against the Vikings.
Hicks is a key part in Chicago’s fifth-ranked run defense, and his absence will certainly be felt, as will the loss of DL Bilal Nichols, who is out again with a broken hand. They’ll face the NFL’s leading rusher in Dalvin Cook, who is averaging 6.6 yards per rush.
With Hicks and Nichols not being able to go against Cook and Minnesota’s dominant run game, the Bears defensive line is down to Eddie Goldman, Roy Robertson-Harris, Nick Williams, Abdullah Anderson and Harris.
Chicago is going to need those guys to step up in an important division game against Minnesota.
