Receiver Allen Robinson provided the Bears with their one significant piece of injury progress Thursday when he returned to practice on a limited basis. Robinson, who hurt his ankle against the Raiders and played against the Packers, sat out Wednesday’s practice.
Bears defenders weren’t so lucky. Defensive lineman Bilal Nichols was added to the injury report when he did not participate because of a knee injury. Safety Tashaun Gipson, who was limited with a hip injury Wednesday, didn’t practice Thursday, either.
Stars Akiem Hicks (groin) and Khalil Mack (foot) did not practice for the second-straight day. Another starter, cornerback Duke Shelley, was limited with an ankle injury.
The Buccaneers are banged up, too. Tight end Rob Gronkowski, who broke his ribs Sept. 26, remains out. Receiver Antonio Brown (ankle), linebacker Lavonte David (ankle), outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder/hand) and cornerback Richard Sherman (hamstring) haven’t practiced all week, either.
COVID-19 update
Bears receivers coach Mike Furrey is out of coronavirus protocol after testing positive last week; he returned to practice Thursday after a six-day absence.
Outside linebacker Robert Quinn remains on the league’s reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive Tuesday. So does running back Damien Williams. Because he tested positive Oct. 14, Williams could return as soon as Saturday — just in time to face the Buccaneers the next day.
This and that
•Returner Jakeem Grant didn’t practice for the second-straight day after hurting his ankle against the Packers. Nsimba Webster, whom the Bears replaced with Grant, remains on the practice squad and could be an option Sunday.
“I just said it again [Thursday] in a meeting: whenever you have to get called up, when it’s your time, we expect you to perform and go,” special teams coordinator Chris Tabor said. “You have to always be ready.”
•Linebacker Caleb Johnson returned to practice after hurting his knee against the Raiders. He was limited, as were tight end J.P. Holtz (quad) and receiver Darnell Mooney (groin).
